THEFT OF CHEQUES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 76

THEFT OF CHEQUES.

OLD OFFENDER SENTENCED. PALMERSTON N., August 2. In the Supreme Court William James Cox was charged with stealing (or alternately receiving) four cheques valued at nearly £l5 and the sum of £l6, the property of Charles Henry Coley, and also with obtaining goods by fraud at Feilding. The accused pleaded guilty to the latter charge, but not guilty to the first. Outlining the case, the Crown Prosecutor said that the accused was introduced to Mrs Coley by a friend. They adjourned to an hotel, where, after partaking of drinks, Mrs Coley later found the cheques and money missing. The accused 'went on to Feilding with a female companion and another person, and was apprehended after he had attempted to pass one of the cheques in his possession. The other stolen cheques were found on the accused. From the box the accused denied the theft of the cheques. The jury returned a verdict of guilty without retiring, and the accused, who had a lengthy list, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and redeclared an habitual criminal.