BREACHES OF TRUST.

Otago Witness, Volume 1851, Issue 3809, 15 March 1927, Page 20

BREACHES OF TRUST.

BECOMING TOO FREQUENT. AUCKLAND, March 11. Breaches of trust by persons holding responsible positions are being met with drastic treatment by the judges of the Supreme Court, and this mornnig Mr Justice Herdman made an example of a man who appeared for sentence on five charges of theft and two of forgery. Mr Beckerleg. in pleading the case of Frederick Roy Humphrey, aged 29. said lie* could not justify the thefts under the circumstances. Ho would point out, however, that the accused had been employed by the same firm for 11 years, and until two years ago had been a steady and reliable man. In order to find the money with which to pay his debts he was tempted and fell. The total amount involved was £480: but that had been taken in small sums. Counsel pointed out that the accused’s marriage had not been a success, and his wife had required more money than he could give her. “I regret to find a man like you in this position,” said his Honor. “This offence is extremely grave, and I have a duty to perform to the public, and the public interest to consider. I cannot overlook the fact that scarcely a week passes without there being some breach of * trust. You were in receipt of a good salary, and have reached an age when you should have known better. I find that with the aid of stolen money you have been leading a fast life, and going about with womes. The simple fact- is. that you have been systematically stealing, and I find that in all you committed 245 thefts and 245 forgeries. You will be sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for two years, to be followed by reformative treatment for one year.”