DUBIOUS TRANSACTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1929, Page 9

DUBIOUS TRANSACTIONS

. CHARGE OF THEFT FAILS. (Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Feb. 9. “This is more like the evidence of an accomplice than anything else in a civil action. I wouldn’t accept the girl’s statement as evidence of repayment,” said Mr. Stoutf S.M., in dismissing a charge of theft against James Leslie, of Woodville, after evidence had been heard. The accused was charged that he received £2 10s under conditions requiring him to account for the same to Yates’ Cash Store, but he failed to do so, thus committing theft. The case had been partially heard yesterday, and adjourned to enable a former girl clerk at Yates’s Woodville store to givo evidence. The accused had contended that he had paid in a cheque to the firm’s account for tea, which he at first purchased with the firm’s money, but, realising that he had no right to do this, he acquired the tea on his own behalf. Doris May Gawith, the former clerk, stated that Leslie had paid in a cheque. Cash dockets were not kept, witness destroying then!. Under cross-examination, the girl admitted staying with the accused at

hotels as man and wife, and also admitted receiving presents from him. Accused got the benefit of the doubt, the Magistrate dismissing the charge, but adding that the evidence would justify grave suspision that evidence bad been destroyed by this pair, who not only were working together, but living together.