PROBATION GRANTED

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 4

PROBATION GRANTED

YOUNG MAN’S LAPSE ISSUING VALUELESS CHEQUES. Subject to his making full restitution and following specifically the. conditions laid down by the Probation Officer, a young man, aged 25, a. native of Scotland, was granted probation for three years by Mr E. C. Levvey S.M., in the Police Court yesterday when he pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining, in Dunedin, money and goods to the value of £l6 4/6 by means of valueless cheques. The accused, who elected to be dealt with summarily, was defended by Mr Eustace Russell. Detective. R. .Thompson, who prosecuted, said that accused had been employed by a local firm of printers and part of his duties was the printing or cheque forms for banks and commercial firms. He took several blank forms away with him on holiday and, when he apparently became short or cash in Dunedin, he filled in some ot the cheques. The total amount involved was £l6 4/6. “He has. never been in trouble before and it is just a case of a young man trying to lead a champagne life . on a beer income, added the detective. Pleading for leniency, Mr Russell said it was very difficult to understand what had caused the young man to commit the offences, which were practically all one transaction. He. was m receipt of a good wage and drink had undoubtedly been the cause of the trouble. He had lost his position and fully realized the folly of what he had done. The full amount of the money involved was available for immediate restitution. . . In recommending probation; the Probation Officer (Mr R. W. Arnold) said that die accused had previously borne an excellent character. He had been in Dunedin on a drinking bout and the case was one where. a young man had been living beyond his means. “I am quite prepared to recommend probation on condition that he takes out a prohibition order and renews it from time to time during the currency of his probation,” added Mr Arnold.. “This class of case is one upon which the Courts do not look with a friendly eye,” remarked his Worship. “It .is very easy for a man of your education and attainments to delude and trick the persons to whom the cheques were given. In view, however, of the fact that it is an isolated case the Court will give you another opportunity. The accused was admitted to probation for three years on the first charge and convicted and discharged on the remaining three. A general order for restitution was made and, in view of the circumstances and to give him every chance, the accused was granted suppression of his name.