A GENEROUS SPENDER

Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 8

A GENEROUS SPENDER

£3OO IN FOUR MONTHS SUSTENANCE FRAUD WHEN MONEY GONE An admission that in about four months ho had spent oyer £3OO he had received as compensation for injuries in an accident on a motor car and clothes was made by John Alexander William Forrester (23), after close questioning by Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., in the Police Court this morning. This interrogation took place during a charge against Forrester of obtaining £4 from the Unemployment Fund by false pretences. Forrester admitted the charge and was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment. Chief-detective Holmes said that between February 28 and August 20 the accused was on relief. He was driving a milk cart for £2 a week between July 20 and August 15. During those dates he gave written declarations that his income was nil, with the result that he received £4 more than ho would have received had he stated the correct position. His excuse for making this false declaration was that he considered that if he had made a declaration that he was working and then lost his employment it would be some time before he could get back on relief. Forrester said that he was now working on a milk truck for £1 a week, adding that he accepted this job so that he would not be placed on sustenance. The Chief Detective: Forrester has been given about £3OO compensation, and as he would_ not explain what he had done with this money to the unemployment authorities he was refused sustenance. Forrester is a single _ man without any financial responsibilities to anyone else.

His Worship; What happened to the £3OO, Forrester? ■ The Accused: I spent it all in about 12 months. H© added that this amount was compensation for injuries received to his spine in a railway accident. Mr Holmes said that the correct amount was £3OB 18s 2d.

After several pressing questions by Mr Bundle, Forrester admitted that in four months he-had spent the money, buying a motor car, clothes, “ and other things.” Without comment, the Magistrate sentenced him to a month’s imprisonment.