SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1934, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

t THEFT AND FORGERY CASE ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY [par Prett Anociation Gopyriaht.} CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. The Supreme Court continued the hearing to-day of twenty-four charges pf theft -and of forgery against Leslie Cecil Johnson, formerly , accountant aqd organiser of Gold Band Taxis. The amount involved is £426. Counsel for the defence said the ease was pot one for a criminal prosecution. The prisoner saved Trillo’s business by a masterly stroke of finance, so that

the creditors who had been clamouring for a settlement, actually in effect, dent Trillo £2OOO free of interest for fifteen months. It was hard to believe that Johnson was only to he paid ’as <t junior clerk when he had really become the Gold Band Taxis, and Trillo the figurehead. The judge said counsel for the defence had addressed the jury eloquently but there were certain things he had mentioned which should not influence (them- could get out of their blinds. This was not a case of civil settlement. It had been very properly brought before them to be dealt with as a criminal matter. Feelings of gratitude should not be expected to condone the commission of a crime. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the four charges of theft that the Crown had particularised. The prisoner. was remanded for sentence till to-morrow. .On the other theft charges there was a formal verdict of not guilty. Stay of proceedings was applied for on the forgery counts.