CHARGE AGAINST YOUTHS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 167, 14 June 1933, Page 4

CHARGE AGAINST YOUTHS.

Indictable charges concerning a cheque for £1 8s (id were preferred against two Eeilding youths in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon before Mr It. M. Watson, S.M. The accused were Bertie Stanley Pilcher nnd Victor Colin George Hirst. The charge against Pilcher was that, on June 8, he made a false document by forging the name of H. H. Cooke to a cheque drawn in favour of H. Id. Cooke for the sum of £1 8s Gd, with the intention that it be acted upon as genuine. The charge preferred against Hirst was that, knowing a cheque drawn in favour of. H. H. Cooke for £1 8s Gd to be forged, he caused Joe Ngan to act upon it as if the document were genuine. Sergeant Angland conducted the prosecution, while Mr Graham appeared for both, accused. Henry Eli Cooke, farmer, of I'eliding, said he had had dealings until Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., and anticipated receiving a cheque from them through the post. rqm something witness heard he complained to the policecabout the theft of the cheque (produced). Witness said no one had authority to endorse a cheque on liis- behalf, and anyone doing so would be committing lorgery. The endorsement of the cheque was wrong in that the initials were “H.H. instead of “H.E.,” and the writing was not that of witness. Mrs Cooke, wife of the previous witness, said that, on J line 8, while on the way to Eeilding she looked into the mail box and saw therein a letter addressed to her husband. The letter was from Abraham and V\ llliams, Ltd. On her return in the afternoon she went to get the letter but' found it had disappeared. At the same time witness saw two youths in Ivawa Ivawa ltoad. She recognised in accused in Court the youths she had seen. Witness reported the matter to her husband. Sergeant Angland said in evidence that on June 9 he interviewed Pilcher and obtained a statement from him (produced). Witness read the statement in which Pilcher admitted meeting Hirst and going down ICawa Law a ltoad. Together they went to Mr Cooke’s letter box and Hirst took therefrom a letter. They then went to Pilcher’s residence, where they found the letter contained a cheque for £1 8s 6d. They went to Eeilding and Hirst went to a Chinaman’s shop to cash the cheque. The Chinaman at first would not do it, but accused went in with Hirst and assured the Chinaman that the cheque was. alright, as was also the endorsement which accused admitted doing himself. Accused divided the money with Hirst and spent it on fruit, soft drinks, chocolates and going to the pictures. The reading of the statement concluded the evidence against Pilcher, who, through Mr Graham, pleaded guilty. The same set of circumstances were detailed in regard to the charge against Hirst by H. E. Cooke and Mrs Cooke. Joe Ngan, fruiterer, of Eeilding, said that on June 8, at about 6 p.m. a young man came to his shop and said he would like to buy something, and that lie would like to cash a cheque. The young man handed witness a cheque (produced, which witness recognised). Witness told the person that the cheque was an “order” one and that he, witness, could not change it. Witness recognised Hirst as the one who had tendered the cheque and who assured witness that the cheque was quit? alright and that the “boss” had given it to him. Witness then told Hirst again that he could not change it, and returned the cheque to Hirst. Hirst then went outside and shortly after returned with Pilcher. Hirst again said the cheque was alright and Pilcher said the same. Witness then cashed the cheque, giving Hirst the change after 2s worth of bananas had been purchased. Witness knew the accused Pilcher, as he had worked for him for some time. The cheque was later handed to the police. Sergeant Angland read a statement which he had obtained from Hirst, the statement corroborating that of Pilcher in regard to the actions of both accused. » Accused also pleaded guilty and with Pilcher was coinmittced to the Supreme Court at Palmerston North for sentence. On the application of Mr Graham bail was allowed as before. Summary charges of the alleged theft of> the letter were held over pending the sentence of the Supreme Court in regard to the indictable offences.