FRAUD CHARGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24296, 13 May 1940, Page 6

FRAUD CHARGES

NAVAL INVENTION CASE DEFENCE OPENS TO-DAY (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. May 11. The case for the-Crown in the trial of Aston and Chrystall, on. charges of conspiracy to defraud, was boncluded in the Supreme Court to-day. and the defence will open on Monday. Counsel intimated that the case would probably conclude on Tuesday. Detective Sergeant Murray said an investigation of the banking accounts showed that the accused received £7149 14s 9d from Sellers. The indications were that £4557 12s 3d went to Aston, and £2592 2s to Chrystall. To Mr Leicester (for Chrystall) witness said the amount, traced to .the accused from Sellers was actually greater than appeared in the charge'. In the coprse of your inquiries did you find anything to show that Chrystall expended any of these moneys on himself, other than possibly boat fares or something of that sort?~No. , ■_ Detective Sergeant Hyhurst said Chrystall insisted that he had complete belief in Aston’s integrity. Mr Leicester: And that when the true facts were revealed the' police would look a pretty pack of fools? ■ Witness: Quite true. Detective McClung said, in crossexamination, that Aston had not been convicted for dishonesty, but he had three convictions—viz., disturbing the peace, intoxication in charge of a motor car, and abusive language.