THEFT OF HOSPITAL FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 262, 1 August 1929, Page 11

THEFT OF HOSPITAL FUNDS

IMPRISONMENT IMPOSED The theft of hospital funds while in the service of the Wellington Hospital Board as radiographer, bad its sequel in the Supreme Court yesterday, when, on six charges of theft and one of forgery, Charles Augustus Comerford, aged 52 years, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Dr. D. F. Myers, called on behalf of the prisoner, said he had known him for ten years, and so far as he knew he was an honest and upright man. He was skilled at his work, conscientious, and kind to patients who came under him. Witness thought he was overworked. At times instructions were given that no charge was to be Biade to patients for certain work done.

Called by the prosecution, Richard Brown, secretary to the Wellington Hospital Board, said accused had been in the service of the board for some years. He had never complained of the work being too heavy. Regarding the books the names of some of the patients were never entered at all. Regarding his work, prisoner was a hard and earnest worker.

Mr. W. E. Leicester, who appeared for Comerford, said, that after going into khaki, prisoner was employed by . the Wanganui Hospital Board for 18 months, and in August, 1023. entered the service of the Wellington Hospital Board as radiographer. He had no clerical experience. He had only had one assistant, and although in five years the number of patients increased from 150 a month to -100, he was given no further assistance. Comerford had worked for some years under Dr. McDonald Wilson before these charges arose, and Dr. Wilson had given him an excellent testimonial as to the excellent nature of his work as Radiographer and X-ray technician. Counsel asked for leniency. His Honour said' that a considerable sum of money passed through accused’s hands, and he had put some of the fees in his pocket and not accounted for them. The offences covered a considerable period. He was in a position of trust, and as an educated man must have known what he was doing. He would be sentenced to IS months’ imprisonment on each count, the sentences to run concurrently.