MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18075, 13 January 1921, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

CHARGfi OF FALSE PRETENCES. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning Charles Edward Ratcliff was charged with passing a valueless cheque to the Rees-Jones Shoe Company in payment for a pair of boots purchased from them on 6th January 11*121. William Reesi-Jones gave evidence that Ratcliff purchased a pair ot tan boots (produced) from his shop on (’th January. He gave a cheque for £3/11/- signed B. Robinson in payment. but when the cheque was presented at the Bank of Australasia payment was refused the bank having no such account,. Witness afterwards met accused in the Avenue, and "said a lot of things to him,” making him come back to the shop and take the boots off.. Accused was under the influence of liquor, but was apparently fairly rational. Wyndham Loftus Barkman stated that B. Robinson had no account at the Bank of. Australasia, and payment on the cheque signed in that name was therefore refused. Mr Rees-Jones had brought Ratcliff to the bank, where accused admitted that the cheque shown was the one he had presented. Accused seemed to witness to be intoxicated, and was apparently more or less "dopy.” Edward Downey denied that he gave accused authority to purchase a cheque-book on his behalf. Constable Hedgman, who arrested accused, also gave evidence. Ratcliff, who pleaded guilty, admitted the writing on the cheque was his, but he was drunk at the time, and did not remember doing it. Since returning rom the front he had frequently lost hiis head . completely when under the Influence of liquor. He had had absolutely no need of the boots he had purchased.

Accused was committed to the next Supreme Court sittings for sentence.