A FINANCIAL JUGGLER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19970, 11 December 1926, Page 22

A FINANCIAL JUGGLER.

FORGER PLEADS GUILTY. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. Charged with forgery and uttering, Thomas O'Connor, aged 29 years, appeared in the City Police Court yesterday morning before Mr H. W. Bundle. S.M., and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The two charges—one of forging a cheque purporting to tbe signed by 0. F. Bryant for £6 ss, and the other of knowing a cheque to be forged, and causing Elias David Friedlander to act upon it as if it were genuine—were taken together. The accused, who was represented by Mr 0. J. L. White, pleaded guilty to both charges. Edward John Bryant, estate and financial agent, said that he saw accused in his office shortly after noon on November 20. There were several other people about. Defendant called out to witness, saying he wanted to pay the account of J. W. Wilson. Witness searched the ledger, but was unable to find the entry. Accused then asked witness for a cheque form, paying twopence for it. Witness’s red stamp office marks were on the form when he gave it to the accused. Accused told witness that be would go downstairs, cash the cheque, and pay him. Witness told him the cheque would be no good unless the stamp marks were crossed out, and he handed accused a pen for that purpose. Witness thought that O’Connor had crossed out the marks. The cheque produced was the one witness had given the accused, but the name E. J. Bryant on it was not his signature, nor had witness authorised anyone to sign his name. Elias David Friedlander, an outfitter, told how the accused had come into his shop to buy braces, socks, and handkerchiefs to the value of about 9s. He tendered a cheque (the one produced). Witness was not at first keen on taking the cheque, but the accused assured witness that it was genuine, saying that he frequently did business with Mr Bryant. Witness made accused endorse it on the back, and the name J. W. Wilson was signed. Witness found out just how bad the cheque was when he forwarded it to the bank. Evidence was given by Detective Sneddon who interviewed the accused at the detective office. O’Connor there made a voluntary statement admitting the forgery. To Mr White: Accused was very frank about the whole business. O’Connor pleaded guilty to both charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Mr White pointed out that there was a possibility of the accused not coming up for sentence till February and he asked the Magistrate to take that into consideration in fixing bail. Bail was fixed in self iat £SO and one surety of £SO. a condition being that the accused should report daily to the police. O’Connor was further charged with having on November 13, at Invercargill, with intent to defraud, falsely represented that a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand, Invercargill, for £ll 4s 6d, purporting to be drawn by W. H. Calder in favour of bearer, was a good and valid order for the amount named therein, and he obtained from John Morton the sum of £ll 4s 6d in money. ' Mr White said that the accused elected to be dealt with summarily. He pleaded guilty,, and was convicted and ordered -to come up for sentence on December 20. Replying to the court, accused said he was a labourer, and lived with his wife. The Chief Detective said ho understood accused had been separated from his wife fo” the last two months Mr White said the wife had not been getting accused’s letters, but was now willing to live with him. Chief Detective Lewis said if_ bail were granted accused should be required to report to the police daily. Mr White suggested that if his Worship fixed bail and accused was not able to get it his Worship might consider the matter on December 20. Mr White added that ha took it there would be no Christmas dinner in gaol. Chief Detective Lewis said that there would be a good Christmas dinner. Bail was granted as already mentioned.