VALUELESS CHEQUES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18273, 14 December 1922, Page 11

VALUELESS CHEQUES.

BUSINESS MAN'S OFFENCE.

ADMITTED TO PROBATION.

Describing it as one of the most unaccountable cases which had ever come under his notice, Mr. Justice Stringer at tho Supreme Court yesterday ordered 12 months' probation for Roy Nash, alias Edwards (Mr. Johnstone), who had pleaded guilty in the lower Court to two charges of obtaining, by means of valueless cheques, jewellery valued at £68 and boots valued at £6 10s 6d. Counsel said that Edwards was a man of good character, although of poor education. He was in a comparatively good financial position in Napier, where he had an interest of £2000 in a company. In the course of business he had come to Auckland, and had entered into some personal negotiations, and in order to keep these private he opened a bank account under the name of Nash. He was well known in certain business circles of the city, and was acquainted with the pawnbroker to whom he had given a cheque for £66 for a diamond stud and ring. His account at the bank contained only a. few pounds, and although he could have obtained money from Napier, ho failed to do so. Another cheque was issued in payment for a pair of boots. Both cheques had since been met. His action was unaccountable.

His Honor: No doubt if he had had the sense to communicate .with the Napier people when he wrote those cheques, the funds would have been provided. Mr. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor: It was a ridiculous and very stupid thing to have done, and particularly to have adopted another nam» His Honor said he was satisfied the man had blundered into the position more by stupidity than anything else, and that there was no criminal intent. Accused would be placed on probation for 12 months.