ACCOUNTANT'S THEFTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21540, 11 July 1933, Page 11

ACCOUNTANT'S THEFTS

22-YEAR RECORD BROKEN SUM OF £353 INVOLVED COMMITTAL FOR SENTENCE An accountant, Richard Dias, aged •'56, was charged before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, with stealing £337 18s Id, the property of W. Parkinson and Company, Limited, between August .'*o, 1932, and May 31 last; stealing £ls 8s 2d, the property of the firm, on December 13; and forging the name of S. Bell-Booth to a receipt for £5, with intent that it should be acted upon as genuine. Detective-Sergeant McHugh prosecuted, Mr. Wallace appearing for accused.

A director of the firm of W. Parkinson and Company, Limited, Stanley George Parkinson, said accused had been employed by the concern for 22 years, and had held the position of accountant for some years. He had charge of money received on behalf of the firm, and he was also entrusted with banking. On June 9, in consequence or something witness had heard, an investigation was made regarding an account accused was believed to have paid. J hree days later, notice was re- «! from the Auckland Terminating Building Society, asking for the payment of £2B in arrears, the sum being one which should not have been owed. . " itriess had signed a cheque for £l9 12s 2d on December 13, and had given it to accused to cash and to pay £ls 8s 2d to the building society. The firm's auditor was called in on June 12, and witness was present when accused was asked why the £ls 8s 2d had not been paid. Accused at first said he did not know anything about the sum, but he later admitted he had misappropriated the money, which he was not able to pay back. Accused was dismissed, and, as a result of further investigation, the shortages mentioned in the charges were discovered. Accused was single and had received £5 10s a week for a long time, but he had recently received £4 10s a week. Accused also had admitted writing the name of S. Bell-Booth on a receipt. James Alexander Gentles, auditor for the firm, said accused frankly admitted misappropriating the £ls 8s £d due to the building society: With accused's assistance, witness had made an audit and had ascertained that a total of £353 6s 3d had been misappropriated. Evidence was given by Detective Moore that accused made a statement on July 3 admitting the misappropriation of £353 6s 3d. Accused, when interviewed, did not admit or deny the forgery of tho receipt. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was allowed in the sum of £2OO, accused being instructed to report daily to the police.