"MUST PAY PENALTY"

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 83, 8 April 1938, Page 4

"MUST PAY PENALTY"

THEFT AND FORGERY

BANK OFFICER SENTENCED

(Hy TVlccrapli—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

A sentence of one year's imprispnment was imposed on Thomas Robert Stringer, by Mr. Justice Johnson in.?the Supreme Court this morning. Stringer had pleaded guilty to three charges of theft as a servant and one charge of forgery; while in the employ . of.' fthe Bank:! of New Zealand. ' XX

Counsel..said that after a v S'ecibu_r operation four years ago Stringer,had to give up sports;and.took-.to gan-b----ling. It was then that ne' committed the first theft of, £2lO.?'^??The#s|nk suspected him but no caseycouldj^vbe, proved, and the bank required >hipv to' pay the amount back ,at £2 a,,''sbnt'h. For six months he? reverted tp.'?iibKSsty but found5 it'impossible.'to* kee^'iiim- ; self and .six young .children;aridjmeet his debts as well -.as..pay : £2; fnotfthly to the bank. , He. again? ?? turned;? to ' gambling and borrowedl rom.'a.Mbrjeylehder. ■■ In desperation-'.he; st6le':&4oo. This. only paid his, debts,';apd4h'February lie took £300,' forging'.to;i'db^so.. ! /"For a man who..committec.";s,vtch|offences ■ there is. only/nneiVthiri'gi^'Said his Honour. "You mustvjiay?'th£fpfenalty, otherwise .the'-'whol&?fsystem:\a< criminal.law would?:bregl_^db\^n-^i;7 ?