BAILIFF’S FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 266, 6 August 1937, Page 5

BAILIFF’S FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

Eight Charges Brought

PROBATION GRANTED IN VIEW OF RECORD

A bailiff attached to the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, stated to have been formerly in the police force and the prisons service and a district officer in Samoa, and to have done good work during tire depression, Arthur Kingsley Bell, yesterday appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, on charges of failing to account for money and of theft. , He was convicted ou all charges.' Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., who heard the case, stated that in view of the man’s past good record he would grant probation for a period of 18 months. Bell pleaded not guilty to two charges of receiving £2 and £8 respectively on June 4 ou terms requiring him to pay it to the clerk of the Magistrate s Court, which he fraudulently omitted to do, thereby committing theft. He pleaded guilty to similar charges of failing to account for £5 received on July 5, £5/4/2 on June 25 aud £6/6/4 on June 15, on similar terms. Me also pleaded guilty to stealin" £l/12/2 on June 11. £4/2/6 on June IS? and £6/12/10 on May 11, ’having m each case received the money under distress warrant, as a servant of the Acw Zealand Government. Detective-Sergeant P. Doyle prosecuted, and Mr. R. W. Watterson appeared for B After hearing evidence ou the two charges of which Bell pleaded not guilty, the magistrate said that he must accept the version put forward by the prosecution. Pleading for lenience. Mr. \> atterson said the circumstances indicated that Bell’s actions were rather in the nature of a temporary loan than of theft. Dining the depression lie had done much excellent work for charitable organisations, and bad received recognition for it. lie had been a district officer in Samoa. The magistrate said be was able to agree iw to Bell’s previous good recoid. “This has been a particularly l’ an,ful for me to deal with, because accused has been an officer of this court, and because I have had personal contact with hl “You” occupied a position of great trust.” he told Bell, “smu obviously abused that trust. 1 . ain ., s ' a ? u 3 d ° tivities were nipped in the, bud bcioie thev became more extensive. Rotation of all but £lO was staged tn have already been made. Ben was placed on probation for 18 months anu ordered to take out a prohibition order.