SOLICITOR'S THEFTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 14

SOLICITOR'S THEFTS

FURTHER IMPRISONMENT TOTAL TERM OF FfVE YEARS An additional sentence of two years' imprisonment to commence at the expiry of the term of three years which he is at present serving was passed by Mr. Justice Herdman yesterday on Charles Stewart Leahy, ex-solicitor, aged 44 (Mr. Dickson), found guilty on various charges of t.heft of clients' money. His Honor described the case as.one of the worst he had known in connection with the legal profession. Counsel said that Leahy was pleading guilty as a result of counsel's investigation of his books. Leahy's mental attitude was that even yet he was doubtful if he was guilty. His Honor: He should have pleaded not guilty. Mr. Dickson: I have advised him, and he has taken my advice. Leahy's books were most complicated, counsel said. A great deal of the trouble had been caused by his obtaining money from moneylenders" and lending it out himself. His books wore in a hopeless state of muddle. He had pleaded guilty to failing to account for £325 due to Jack Lipanovich, but Lipanovich had actually received £4lO, The other charge he had admitted was of failing to pay £134 to Philip Stanley Gee. That was a mortgage transaction, and the position was that the lender did not get the security he ought to have had. There was no doubt that Leahy was positively destitute, and that he did not, have anything secreted. His Honor said he had said what he had to say to Leahy when sentencing him previously for theft. He felt' it his duty now to impose an additional penalty. No excuse could be offered for dishonesty on the part of one who was an officer of that Court. Of all men in the community the one which practised in that Court as lawyer ought to know that honesty was of vital importance. His Honor then passed sentence of additional two years' hard labour on the first charge, and of three years' hard labour on the second charge, the second sentence to be concurrent with the other sentences.