Trust Betrayed

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 132, 7 June 1935, Page 12

Trust Betrayed

MAN WITH WAR HONOURS Vicc-chairman of tho Eniicld District Council, well known in the political an'J social life of the town, a supporter of numerous sporting clubs, and a solicitor’s clerk by occupation, Alfred Burden Wharton, aged 52, stood in the dock a't Old Bailey, London, last month, a ruined man.

An officer during the war,* ho attained to tho rank of captain, and was awarded tho iW.C. for bravery. Now ho was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment L in tho second division on .two charges of fraudulent conversion. Tho first related to the estate of a Mrs Starr, whoso husband, a road sweeper, lived at Eniicld.

Wharton, having persuaded him to sign instructions for securities amounting to £IOO to bo sold, paid tho proceeds into his banking account, then overdrawn by between £3OO and £-100. Wharton used the money and a life policy went the samo way.

Tho second ease arose out of the death in December, 1P33, of Mr Amiss, stated Mr Mervyn Clriflith-Joncs, prosecuting. A friend of his, Mr George Lindsey, assisted Mrs Amiss to wind up tho estate, and got into touch with Wharton. Tho matter was put into the hands of Whartons employers, and Wharton told Air Lindsey that £l5O was needed to pay of pressing debts. Wharton paid the cheque into his own account and used (he money for his own purposes.

For tho defence, Air Thomas Dawson urged that Wharton got into difficulties owing to the position he occupied in tho public life of Eniicld. Detective Inspector Arney explained that Wharton “had got out of his depth on a salary of £275 a year.” Betting had largely contributed to his downfall. The officer added that some years ago, when ho was employed in London, Wharton became engaged to a young womau from whom ho borrowed £IOO Ho went away and tho money was not repaid. Judgo Dodson remarked that as a solicitor's cleric Wharton stood in almost tho samo position as a solicitor, and ho knew (he obligations that were attached to his position.