CLUMSY CHEQUE

Evening Star, Issue 22203, 4 December 1935, Page 8

CLUMSY CHEQUE

PASSED AND PARTLY PAID YOUTH FACES FALSE PRETENCE . * CHARGE By placing a figure 1 in front of the original figure 4, and adding “ teen ” to the written word “ four,” Alexander David Braid passed a false torn cheque made out in his name, but received only 16s lid more than the original amount, and found himself charged in the Police Court to-day with false pretence. “It is a wonder anyone would accept the cheque, but anything seems possible in this respect from the experiences we have,” commented Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., in ordering restitution of the deficiency and admitting the accused to probation for a year. Chief-detective Young said that the accused was 19, and had been employed as a farm labourer at 15s a week by Mr J. F. Harris, of Moa Flat, for 10 months from the beginning of the year. He was dismissed for laziness, his employer said, but the accused himself claimed it was because of a disagreement with other men. He was then employed by a neighbouring farmer named James, and while there received a cheque for £4 15s 4d from Harris for back payment. He altered the cheque to make its value £l4 15s 4d, and later gave it to Mrs James to be cashed. This she did at the store of Mr W. B. Rush, who, however, was unable to pay the whole amount. Altogether £5 12s 3d was received on the cheque’s credit, but the accused “ became scared and cleared out ” to Stony Creek, where ho was now employed at farming at the same wage as previously. For Braid, Mr C. A. Hamer pleaded guilty, and said he was one of a family of 12. Because of this, though he had received a fair measure of education, he had had to fend for himself for the past five years. He had never been in trouble before, nor had any other member of his family. He altered the cheque to avoid admitting that he had created a false impression as to the amount due to him (which he said was £ls) when he transferred _to James’s farm. That he was a novice in crime was shown by the fact that he fled to Balclutha, being so afraid of the consequences. Restitution of the small sum involved (16s lid) would be easily made, as his present employer, Mr Cochrane, of Stony Creek, who said lie had given every satisfaction, was willing to take him back. “ It was a stupid offence, as he must have realised that he would be found out,” said the Magistrate, who added that, in view of the fact that he was in employment, he should be given a chance. He would be admitted to probation for a year, restitution of the amount outstanding to bo made within two weeks.

Refusing to suppress the name, the Magistrate said the accused was old enough to have known better.