MENTAL DEFECTIVE

Feilding Star, Volume 3, Issue 554, 31 December 1925, Page 8

MENTAL DEFECTIVE

PARTS WITH HIS MONEY. THEFT CHARGE RESULTS. . WITNESSES TELL STRANGE STORY. (Press Association Telegram.) Wellington, December 30. Certain transactions with a -PostOffice Savings Rank account belonging to a mental defective were investigated at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when Charles Goodman, a young man, was charged with the theft of £2lO.

Sub-Inspector Kemp, who prosecuted, said the accused had been working at Petone and /had a room-male who for some time had not beep strong mentally. The evidence ■would show that on November 21 last at Goodman’s direction the alleged victim drew £2lO from his account, that he was mentally deficient, and hospital. After obtaining the money pial. After obtaining the money Goodman and a companion went for a holiday and did not return till December 15. Dr. J. B. Boyd said that on November 17 accused brought the alleged victim to witness’ consulting rooms i n Bouleott. street.. W itness made an examination of the man whom, he found to lie of unsound mind. On November 24 witness again saw hint and considered that lie was not capable' of appreciating a business transaction. As the man had no home witness considered that he should he committed to a mental hospitalEvidence was also given by Dr. 0. J. Reid, who said that after making an examination lie louiwl that the alleged victim was feeble-niinoen Goodman did not tell witness of the withdrawal of the money before the examination. Witness considered that the patient bad tile mind of a child.

William H. McGowan, a carpenter, said that on Novembe,. 24 witness and Goodman went into the Post Office Savings Bank with the alleged victim, who made out a form and handed it across the counter with his book. When he received his money lie gave it to Goodman, saving. ‘‘Here, take this.” The party called at a bank while Goodman went inside the premises, and then they went to see Dip Boyd. After calling at, the Magistrate’s Court a taxi was hired and the man was taken to Porirua Mental Hospital. Later Goodman said that be had received a present °f £2OO from him. Next day witness and Goodman went for a holiday to Auckland and Now Plymouth, On December 15, the day i after they arrived home, Goodman was interviewed by- detectives. Before seeing the detective Goodman gave witness £2O. Tn reply to Mr Leicester, witness said that Goodman was the only person who would look after the man, and lie did not flunk it- was strange for Goodman to receive the present.

Goodman pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. His bail of £250 was renewed.