CHARGES OF FRAUD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 14

CHARGES OF FRAUD

LARGE SUMS INVOLVED SON FOUND GUILTY THE MOTHER ACQUITTED (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 25. The hearing of* charges of defrauding the Chief Post Office at Auckland of sums amounting to £4550 against Laul Edward Din, a clerk, aged 23, and his mother. Madeline Elizabeth Din, was concluded before Mr Justice Fair in tbe Supreme Court to-day. It was alleged that by false pretences and forgery Din cashed cheques for £IBOO on April 1, for £9OO on July 12 and for £IBSO on August 1. His mother is joined with him in the charge relating to the sum of £IBSO. Summing up, his Honor dealt separately with each charge and said certain facts had practically been admitted. The contentions of the Crown were that in March last Din was in poor circumstances, and that he then had the opportunity of gaining knowledge to carry out the frauds. The first offence involved £IBOO, and he subsequently lodged £I6OO in the bank under another name. The second forgery was three months later, in July, the amount being £9OO. There was no evidence concerning the person who cashed the cheque. Within a few days Din bought two steamer tickets, resigned from the staff of the office, and bought in Wellington drafts on banks in Sydney for £SOO and £3OO. Regarding the third charge, involving £IBSO, there was evidence of particular bank notes found in Din’s possession, said his Honor. Din had handed two sums of £SOOO each to his mother. He had £7OO in his possession when arrested, and other sums were also traced. The passages of Din and his mother to Australia were booked in false names. Practically the only explanation offered by Din was that he got the money from his father in the Chatham Islands. “ The evidence the Crown offers against Mrs Din is very slight,” stated his Honor, who stressed the requirements in proving the charge. _ “There is no doubt that her association with her son gives cause for grave suspicion, but suspicion is not enough.” The jury found Din guilty on all counts, his mother being acquitted. Din was remanded for sentence.