FALSE PRETENCES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16772, 11 October 1928, Page 2

FALSE PRETENCES

PROBATION FOR MAN VALUELESS CHEQUE CASHED A charge of obtaining money by means of a valueless cheque mas admitted by a micldle-aged man in tin’. Police Court ibis morning, before Mr. E. C. Levvey, B.M. " Accused was admitted to probation' for two years, bis name being suppressed. Accused' was charged with obtaining from Frederick George Staff St Gisborne oh October 8 £lO in money bv means of a false pretence, namely, a valueless cheque for £lO, drawn on the Bank of New South Wales. Detective McLeod stated that he had known the accused for some years., and be- had not previously been before the court. Accused, who was represented by Mr. L. C\ Parker, elected to be dealt with summarily," and pleaded guilty. • Detective McLeod explained that on October 8 the accused borrowed a cheque ■form, and filled it in for the amount of £lO He signed his name to the cheque, and tendered it to the hotelkeeper, receiving £lO in money in return. Accused had never had an account in that bank. The following morning he left for ltotorua. cm a business visit, to Auckland, and was arrested tin arrival at Rotorua, but- the speaker did not. suggest that he was attempting to clear out. Accused and his wife were in business in Gisborne. Accused's one. failing was liquor, and in the speaker’s opinion his lapse was entirely tine to his fondness for alcohol. He had not been before the court previously, and had borne a good character. The magistrate: What was be going to Rotorua forDetective McLeod explained that accused was on his way to Auckland on business, and was the. worse for liquor on the clay ho loft; in fact, he had been the worse for liquor for some weeks. The money had been refunded, and in tho speaker’s opinion if accused were admitted to probation and a prohibition order were taken out it. would have-' a good effect. Mr. Parker said that for some time the accused had been in ill-health, and bad been unable to do any work. Ho bad formed a habit of coming into town daily and taking more liquor than his constitution could stand; he was now prepared to take out a prohibition order against himself. In making an application for the suppression of accused's name, counsel explained that his ' wife was a hard-working woman, and the publication of accused’s name would do »a lot of harm to their business. Detective McLeod mentioned that the police expenses amounted to £8 ICs 6d. The magistrate: You have had your lesson, accused, and you had better pi’ll yourself together. You will be admitted to probation for two years, and each year you will take out a prohibition order, and you will pay the police expenses. I shall give yon another chance, and your name will be suppressed.