Bailiff admits theft charge

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 4

Bailiff admits theft charge

PA Wellington A senior bailiit stole more than $9OOO of debtors' money and spent it at the races, the District Court at Lower Hutt has been told. Bruce Edward Marshall, aged 34, pleaded guilty to 30 charges of theft by fraudulently omitting to account for, or pay money to the Lower Hutt District Court totalling more than $9OOO between earlv 1980 and earlv 1982. He also pleaded guilty to fraudulently' concealing a court file for the purpose of avoiding, or having to account for money received on or about March 22 at Lower Hutt. Sergeant Robert Bull told the court that Marshall had been responsible for the Lower Hutt bailiffs office.

He resigned on ■ May 31 this vear.

Sergeant Bull said that in May this year a man found that money he paid to Marshall had not been used for debts, and he took receipts to the registrar of the Lower Hutt District Court, who saw they were not official bailiff receipts forms. Marshall was interviewed by the police on May 31, and his official bailiffs receipts book was found in his desk. He had not receipted any money since mid-1981. Judge Kearney, said that Marshall had admitted the money was spent gambling on the races, but wanted to pay it back. The Judge convicted Marshall on all charges, and remanded him on bail to July 26 for a probation report and sentence.