TRIP IN A CAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23023, 28 April 1938, Page 11

TRIP IN A CAR

VALUELESS CHEQUES FALSE PRETENCES CASE BUSINESS MAN'S ESCAPADE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WANGANUI, Wednesday Charged with obtaining goods from one Wanganui firm and attempting to obtain clothing from another, Walter George Roache appeared in the Magistrates' Court to-day. He pleaded guilty also to two false pretences charges at Hastings, one at New Plymouth and one at Inglewood. Detective N. W. Bayliss stated that Roache was in business at Hamilton and set off on an escapade of issuing valueless cheques. He went under an assumed name, procured a cheque book, went to business firms and bought goods, issuing cheques for, more than tho required amount. Coming to Wanganui, he opened up an account at a bank, deposited £2 and issued a cheque to a Wanganui firm, and was in the act of issuing another to a different firm when accosted by the police.

Mr. C. H. Clinkard, who appeared for accused, said Roache served a sentence at Christchurch in 1935. On being released he started in business at Hamilton. Tho business was satisfactory, at one stage the turnover being £II,OOO in five months in dealing with motorcars. Some person took it upon himself to advise the bank that Roache had been in trouble, and the bank withdrew its overdraft of £3OOO. A finance firm also refused to have further dealings with him. Placed in an awkward position, Roache became extremely worried. He intended to attend a meeting of creditors at Hamilton, but instead he set off in a motor-car. He went to Rotorua and then started to drink, and went through the country in a muddled state. He had informed counsel tlj»i>"he did not know what he was doijJg, and if he had wanted he could have taken £IOOO out of the business. He was a married man with two children.

Accused was sentenced to a period of reformative treatment not exceeding 18 months.