FRAUD BY YOUNG MAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19413, 23 August 1926, Page 12

FRAUD BY YOUNG MAN.

VALUELESS CHEQUES ISSUED. CRIME ( WHILE ON PROBATION. "This ntian seems determined to lead a bad life," said Mr. J, W. Poynton, S.M., in the Police Court on Saturday, when Arthur dark, aged 28, pleaded guilty to obtaining credit by fraud and ; obtaining money by false pretences. He was further charged wi th failure to comply with the terms' of his release on probation and with being an idle and disorderly person. Detective-Sergeant O'Brien said accused had gone to the shop of Edward William Dargie, in Karangahape Road, and hud there obtained a suit, shirt, socks, collar and tie, valued at £7 9s 4d. He was unable to pay for them, but he told the shopkeeper he had sold a farm to an Englishman and ho would call in later with the. money. Later he gave Dargie a cheque- for the amount, but this was dishonoured. Accused had obtained money by false pretences by calling on Gordon Bartleet, a, farmer whom lie knew, and borrowing £2 from him, saying he was about to purchase a farm. Subsequently he returned and presented a cheque for £l,O Os 6d drawn on a bank at Hamilton. Bartleet took the £2 and handed accused the change. The cheque was dishonoured. Accused had no account at the bank. It was stated by Chief-Detective Cnmmings that accused had ,a bad record. He had been arrested at the end of June on five charges of false pretences and had been remanded oil bail. He had not appeared on the set day, and when he was before the Court on July 12 he had pleaded guilty. He was placed on probation for two years and ordered to make restitution. " His conduct on probation has not been satisfactory," said the probation officer, Mr. W J. Campbell. "He has only reported once. It is a waste of time doing anything for him." Accused: I understood from Mr. Campbell that I had to report only onco a month. Mr. -Cuminings: Mr. Campbell did not give him license to go round issuing valueless cheques. The Magistrate: This man has been admitted to probation and he has abused the leniency extended to him. He will bo sentenced to three months' imprisonment on each of the charges of false pretences and breach of probation, the sentences to be cumulative. He will be convicted and discharged on the other charges.