THEFT AND FORGERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 19

THEFT AND FORGERY

BANK OFFICER'S CRIMES PRISON TERM OF ONE YEAR [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Friday Sentence of ono year's imprisonment was imposed on Thomas Robert Stringer by Mr. Justice Johnston in the Supreme Court this morning. Stringer pleaded guilty to three charges of theft as a servant, and to one charge of forgery while in the employ of the Bank of New Zealand. Counsel said that after a serious operation four years ago Stringer had to give up sports and he took to gambling. It was then that he committed his first theft of £2lO. The bank suspected him, but no case could be proved, and tho bank required him to pay the amount back at £2 a month. For six months he reverted to honesty, but he found it was impossible to keep himself and six young children, and meet his debts, as well as pay £2 monthly to the bank. He again turned to gambling, and borrowed from a moneylender. In desperation he stole £4OO. This only paid his debts, and in February he took £3OO, forging to do so. "For a man who has committed such offences there is only one thing." said Mr. Johnston. "You must pay the penalty, otherwise the whole system of criminal law would break down."