LIGHT SENTENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1933, Page 6

LIGHT SENTENCE

IN RELIEF FRAUDS CASE

fPer Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, - May 16.

Taking the view that prisoner- was apparently the tool of an older' .head, and that the prosecution -was brought to some extent as a warning to others, Judge Ostler in, the Supreme Court today admitted Keith Bartlett, 'aged 21, to probation for obtaining relief -rations from the Wellington Hospital Board by .falsely representing that he was the only member of his family who was working.

The judge sai-cl that the offence was mefin and dishonest. For years prisoner's family appeared to have been living on charitable aid, to which they were not entitled, having, according to the papers before him., received hundreds of pounds, while the average earnings of the family had been sufficient to support' it without relief. Conditions of probation were that prisoner pay the costs of the prosecution £l9 16s, within one year. The judge knew that Bartlett was only able to earn ISg a week, and the order made would mcafi * hardship, but at the same time he did not think the State, through the Hospital Board, after having pa : d out some 'hundreds of pounds, should, in addition, 'be out of pocket to the extent of £l9 16s. If the prisoner did not pay he woul be gaoled. His family would have to help him pay. ~ IA the case of Mona Mildred Bartlett sister of Keith Bartlett, charged wjth cbtaiping- from the Hospital shoes, money for rent, and coal, iy false pretences, by stating that n ° n ® 0 H the .family were working, a verdic of not guilty was returned