UNUSUAL FEATURE IN FORGERY CASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 7

UNUSUAL FEATURE IN FORGERY CASE

Suppression of the name was ordered by his Honour Mr. Justice Reed this morning in the case of a middle-aged man charged with forgery, in connection with which some.unusual circumstances were disclosed. For the prisoner, Mr. W. A. Beattie said that he had entered into a contract to do some work, including the roofing of a building. Some of the iron had to be returned to the firm it was purchased from, and although prisoner was entitled to the refund, the cheque for same was made out to another person. Prisoner had endorsed the cheque in the name it was made out to. If there was any doubt as to prisoner’s right to the money, added counsel, he was quite prepared to bring a civil action to decide the point. His Honour said that he had intended to admit prisoner to probation, and also to order him to make restitution of the amount. Under the circumstances disclosed, however, he would not order restitution, leaving that to be the subject of a court action if necessary. Prisoner was admitted to probation for one year, and ordered to pay costs amounting to £5 17s. On account of family reasons, urged by counsel, his Honour said he would agree to the suppression of the name.