A YEAR’S PROBATION

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 7

A YEAR’S PROBATION

Rhode*-William* Sentenced for False Pretences. “ LOST HEAD COMPLETELY." Trevor Rhodes-Williams, one of Canterbury’s lawn tennis representatives, was admitted to probation for twelve months when he appeared for sentence before Mr Justice Johnston this morning on three charges of obtaining money by false pretences from his employers, .Mason, Struthers, Ltd. During his remarks his Honor said that the prisoner seemed to have lost his head completely in the last year. Mr Russell, who appeared for the prisoner, said that Rhodes-Williams had not had any previous convictions. On leaving Wellington College he had joined the staff of the National Bank and after being there some time left of his own accord. Some time later he and his father decided to operate a “ talkie ” plant in the Rangiora district. On account of the depression and the extent of competition that went to the wall, but instead of putting the venture into liquidation the father and son paid debts amounting to £2OO. That might have caused the position in which the young man found himself to-day. For some months in 1933 he was unemployed and then joined the staff of Mason, Struthers, Ltd. creditors began to press him and judgment summonses were issued against him. To stave off the position which faced him Rhodes-Williams borrowed from one person to pay another. Eventually he opened a bank account, but later on the manager asked him to put it in order or close it. The prisoner was then in the position of a man with a big overdraft who had been called on to liquidate it. He endeavoured to secure money to meet the cheques, but was unable to do so at the time the offences were discovered. Shortly after money would have been available to meet the amount outstanding to Mason, Struthers. Prominent Tennis Player. As a result of his mistake. RhodesWilliams had lost his employment. He wai a prominent tennis player and that was his living, as he was employ*ed as. a sports salesman. Furthermore, no doubt he would be debarred from representing his province at tennis in the future. Tbe probation officer recommended that probation should be granted on the understanding that the amount outstanding would be paid in instalments. Mr Longton had offered jto take Rhodes-Williams in hand to 'give him a position. If necessary Mr Longton would be prepared to speak for the prisoner. To his Honor, counsel suggested that £24 available now should be paid over and that as part of his punishment Rhodes-Williams should be ordered to pay the remainder in instalments, in such amounts as the probation officer might direct. Counsel would suggest £1 a week. His Honor said that he had read the probation officer's report and the prisoner’s statement. There seemed to be a certain amount of justification for what Rhodes-Williams had written and what had been said by his counsel. It was a somewhat difficult case in the sense that the prisoner’s surroundings and opportunities were so good. They could not be looked to as an excuse for the commission of the crime with which Rhodes-Williams was charged. PoMibly Unbalanced. "It is obvious from y r our conduct during the last year or so that you have completely lost your head.” said his Honor to the prisoner. “ Your position in sport may have unbalanced you, but that does not excuse the deliberate commission of the crime you committed. The cheques were deliberately signed and the jury would not have found you guilty if they did not think you had intended .to defraud your employers. If you had been allowed to go on without realising the serious nature of the offences you committed you might have got into worse trouble later. I am quite satisfied that your conviction and detention meantime have brought you to realise the extreme gravity of the offences you committed. The First Offenders Probation Act is for such cases, and I think there are no circumstances which would justify me in refusing to grant you probation. You will be admitted to probation for twelve months on terms that £24 is paid and that in future 10s shall be paid each week to the probation officer in reduction of the balance of the cheques passed.”