"ACT OF FOLLY”

Evening Star, Issue 21709, 2 May 1934, Page 11

"ACT OF FOLLY”

YOUNG MAN IN TROUBLE ADMITTED TO PROBATION “The crime is more an act of fol|y than one showing criminal intent,” said Mr C. J. L. White, who represented James Story when, tne latter appeared before Mr Justice Kennedy m the Supremo Court this morning on a charge of fraudulently stating that he posted a postal packet containing money when he did not do so. Mr H. S. Adams appeared for the Crown. Mr White said that the accused was twenty-eight years of ago and had been married only .eleven months. He was then in regular employment, but lost it in November. For a short time he was employed by his father, but when the latter gave up that line of business he lost his position, and had been employed since on relief work. About the time of this offence his wife got into debt slightly with the rent, and the husband', promised to borrow £2/ from his father and send it to the solicitor. Ho did not do so, but told his wife he had. Subsequently his wife said she was going to write for a receipt, and gave him a and thinking the matter would be investigated he decided to intercept the letter. When he opened it he found £2 in it to he sent to the solicitor, and -was then in perplexity. Ho used £1 to pay off another pressing debt and paid £1 off the current expenses of the house. Later the question of 'the letter arose, the matter was taken up by the Post Office authorities, and this prosecution followed. Counsel submitted that His Honour might see fit to impose a monetary penalty or admit the accused to the benefits of the Probation Act. Addressing the prisoner, His Honour said that it was a pity that ho did not have the courage to tell his wife the truth, but made a false declaration which might have drawn suspicion upon others. However, in the end the accused told the truth. The probation officer’s report was very favourable, and the accused would bo released on' probation for two years on the usual statutory conditions.