THEFT AND FORGERY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 17

THEFT AND FORGERY

SOLICITOR SENT TO GAOL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHBISTCHURCIf, July 21,

On one charge of theft and two of forgery ' Huddart Bichards Sampson, solicitor,' aged 30, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour by Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court today.

Mr. W. R. Lascelles, for the prisoner, said that Sampson had been,a popular member of his profession, and his defalcations had come as a complete surprise to his fellow-practitioners. For the accused he wished to say that the other charges were in part consequential on the first.

It might be, continued Mr. Lascellos, that apprenticeship in .the wine and spirit business was not conducive to a successful legal career. Tho accused, whilo still young, had developed a liking for liquor. He.qualified at tho ago of 21, and commenced practice as a principal when 23 years of age, which was rather young. Ho had scarcely started when ho became over-popular and a "good fellow," and had attempted to keep pace with those whose means were greater than his own. His Honour said that all cases of the type were very painful to deal with. The records showed that for six years the prisoner had been engaged in systematic forging, and his thefts totalled £1345, He had been in a position of trust and had been admitted to an honourable ■ profession which guaranteed the honesty of its members. /The prisoner would be sentenced to threo years' imprisonment with hard labour.

In subsequent proceedings his Honour made a rule nisi directing Sampson to show cause why he should not be struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors;