OFFENCE AS SERVANT.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20285, 9 April 1938, Page 3

OFFENCE AS SERVANT.

STOLE FROM BANK.

MAN SENT TO GAOL. SERIOUS OPERATIONS. [By Telegraph.—Press Association] CHRISTCHURCII, April U. Sentence of one year's imprisonment was imposed on Thomas Robert Stringer by Mr. Justice Johnston in the Supreme Court yesterday. Stringer pleaded guilty to three charges of theft as a servant, and to one charge of forgery while in the employ of tho Bank of New Zealand.

Counsel said that after a serious operation four years ago Stringer had to give up sports, and he took to gambling. It avus then that he committed his first theft of £2lO. Tho bank suspected him, but no case could be proved, and the bank required him to pay the amount back at. £2 per month. For six months he reverted to honesty, but he found it was impossible to keep himself and six young children, and meet his debts, as well as pay £2 monthly to the bank. Ho again turned to gambling, and borrowed from a money-lender. In'desperation he stole £4OO. This only paid his debts, and in February he took £3OO, forging to do so.

"For a man who has committed such offences there is only one thing," said Mr. Johnston. "You must pay the penalty, otherwise the whole system of criminal law would break down."