TERM IN GAOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 13

TERM IN GAOL

FALSE PKETENCES CASE FIFTEEN CHARGES ADMITTED VALUELESS CHEQUES USED Fifteen charges of obtaining money and goods by false pretences were admitted by Harold Avery Clayton, bootrepairer, aged 38, when he appeared in tho Police Court, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday.

The charges related to £BS lis 6d in money, and goods valued at £3l lis 6d, obtained by means of valueless cheques, and sums of £1 is 6d and £l, and goods valued at £7 7s Id, obtained by false pretences. The offences were committed between January 31 and March 15, at places between Dargaville and Master ton.

Detective-Sergeant Nalder said the first offence had been committed at Manurewa, where accused had given a valueless cheque for repairs to his car. Ho had travelled about the country securing money and goods by means of valueless cheques. At Paparoa, by falsely representing that he was a veterinary surgeon, ho obtained £1 Is 6d for prescribing for a bull. Accused had frankly admitted the offences when questioned by the police. . "This is his occupation; he does it as soon as he gets out of gaol," added Mr. Nalder.

"I am going to give him six months' hard labour on two of these charges, the sentences to be cumulative, and I will sentence him to reformative detention not exceeding three years on another," said the magistrate. On the other charges accused was convicted and discharged. • . ...