CREDIT BY FRAUD

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 4

CREDIT BY FRAUD

A MONTH'S GAOL

Pleading not guilty to a charge of obtaining credit by fraud to the extent of £1 10s Hid, Douglas Arthur Brewer, a motor mechanic, aged 42, appeared before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today. DetectiveSergeant P. Doyle conducted the prosecution and Mr. I. M. Sutherland appeared for the accused. Denis John Clifford, a grocer in business at the corner of Mem and Daniell Streets, said that on January 21 Brewer told him he was owner of the Thorndon Service Station and asked for credit in the purchase of groceries. Groceries to the value of £1 10s lljd were supplied. He did not pay, and so was not supplied .with any more groceries. Cross-examined by Mr. Sutherland, witness said that inquiries were made at the Thorndon Service Station. It was ascertained that he was known there, but was not the owner. William Thomas Stent, owner of the station, said that the accused came in and made an arrangement whereby he would pay weekly for petrol supplied. He did not do so, and a debt of £3 or £4 was incurred. The accused worked for witness for some time to clear the acco-jnt. Cross-examined, witness said that the arrangement was for the accused to work off the account. He was not at any time in charge of the garage. Detective W. Ritchie said that he interviewed Brewer on February 10. Brewer admitted incurring the debt, but denied saying that he ;was the owner of the service station.

Mr. Sutherland submitted that no deception had been committed. In the box the accused said that he told the grocer he was managing the workshop of the Thorndon Service Station. "It is perfectly evident to me that the accused has committed a breach of the Police Offences Act," said the Magistrate. "The evidence of the witnesses is to my mind quite reliable. The accused will be convicted." A month's imprisonment with, hard 'labour was imposed.