22,000 IN THEFT CHARGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12643, 31 December 1926, Page 19

22,000 IN THEFT CHARGE

“ALL* GONE. TO THE BOOK" I ' ‘ MAKERS”, At Liverpool, Albert James Lewis, aged gB, was charged with stealing from Messrs G. Salisbury and Co., cotton brokers, sums of £602, £420, and £470, and with falsifying his accounts. , Mr Howard Roberts, for the prosecution, said that Lewis was alleged to have carried on the frauds over a peri,od of three years. Hie had performed the duties of cashier at intervals, Und it was when engaged in that capacity that he carried out the thefts. Every other Saturday the cashier was off duty and Lewis was in charge. Mr A. B. Hall, one of the junior partners, was present - and Lewis presented cheques to him’ for signature. When ashed' what the money was for, Lewis would state tHat the amount was due to firms with whom the firm had business. Having obtained the signatures Lewis Would cash the cheques and utilise the mdtiey for his own purposes. Lewig, said Mr Roberts, had to falsify thV' accounts in his books to. cover the’ defalcations. ‘ He made a complete . confession. 1 Proceedings were taken' on the three amounts, but the amount involved was in the neighbourhood of £22,000. T*he matter was repotted to the pbliee, Lewis expressing a desire .to assist the firm in clearing, it u V Mr Roberts added that Lewis financed a firm of commission agents. Detective-sergeant Langford stated .that the accused surrendered to the police And said, “I want to give myself up for stealing my employers’ money- . I haVe falsified tie books and I want to get it over. The money has all gone to the bookmakers. I have been at it for about three years and the amount is considerable.” The hearing was adjourned. 1