CONSPIRACY CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 104, 4 May 1935, Page 6

CONSPIRACY CHARGES

Iman and woman sentenced '•Having pleaded guilty to two charges lOfJhaving conspired., to defraud, David , Hodges and Phyllis Gladys Davis i ap- ■ peered'for sentence, before the Chief [Justice j(Sir Michael Myers) at the Supreme Court,yesterday afternoon. I, Mr. i\ W. Ongley, who appeared for | the .male accused, said that Hodges was responsible for whatever Jhad occurred, as it was he who suggested to the * ( female, prisoner' that she should be a tarty fo the transaction. Through all health" in his family. Hodges had .got, .very far int6 debt with moneylenders. _ He approached a woman for assistance "'and arranged'for accommodation. 'After the*;woman had',taken legal, advice, however,,she "declined to giye (> Hodges any assistance. Hodges then induced the female prisoner to impersonate the woman. It might appear that he t had obtained £150, but actually £80, or £90 had gone to an impecunious agent who varranged. the transaction. Hodges had used the whole of the balance to pay his debts. He was a hard-working man and apparently had no other failings. Mr. 'A. JMacandrew," for the female prisoner, said that she had received no part" of the proceeds and it appeared i that she had not been prompted by' any J criminal tendency. Her action was that of a'weak and foolish woman I whose feelings had been'played-upon In Sentencing the female accused his Hohoiir said that the Probation Officer had recommended probation and said that m her opinion Davis had been dominated by the male prisoner. The Probation Officer said that it was also true that Davis had received no benefit from her act. His Honour admitted the prisoner to probation for a period of eighteen months, a condition being that she should take out'a prohibition order1 against herself. Hpdges was sentenced to eighteen months' reformative detention on each of the charges of conspiring to defraud and another of fraud, the terms to run concurrently. He was remanded on a further charge of conspiring with another woman to which he .had pleaded guilty, but his Honour said that if he had' to be sentenced on that charge the-present sentence would not be increased. - . ... '■ •-■!•,.,. ;