MERCY AND JUSTICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19866, 14 June 1927, Page 8

MERCY AND JUSTICE

FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE LABOURER GETS PROBATION. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 11. John Alexander Ross, a labourer, aged 39, appeared before Mr. Salmon, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day and pleaded guilty to having obtained £3 5s from Harry Ross by means of false pretences. Chief Detective Ward said that although the two men bore the same name they were not related. Accused lived in a house on the Taylor estate, Island Bay, and by falsely representing that he was caretaker of the estate he obtained money from the other man, by offering to let him a dwelling at 19 Trent Street. Accused was a married man with six children and had nothing to do with the estate beyond the fact that he leased one of the houses. The Magistrate (glancing at accused’s record): “I see that your last offence of dishonesty was committed over twenty years ago, so I shall overlook it. I am going to admit you to probation for a year, but you must understand that it is not for your sake but for the sake of your wife and children that I am doing so.” Mr. Salmon directed accused to take out a prohibition order and told him to make restitution as directed by the Probation Officer.