SOLICITOR S IHEFTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 163, 13 July 1933, Page 6

SOLICITOR S IHEFTS

LARGE SUM INVOLVED PROCEEDINGS AT N.APIER FLEAS OF GUILTY ENTERED. I [ Per Press Association. I NAPIER, July 12. A. plea of guilty was entered by Albert Lionel Bailey, solicitor, of Napier, to Ihe charges, one involving the theft ’of moneys totalling £2.111 Ils lid, three of forgery, and'one of making a false declaration, when he appeared on remand before .justices in the Police Court to-day. Bailey was committed to the Supreme Court* at Wellington for sentence. In entering a plea of guilty to all the charges, Air. Gifford, who appeared for the accused, said that as Bailey had made a full statement aud had admit--1 ted all the offences, he trusted that the proceedings would bo shortened as much as possible. Cedric William White, accountant for Humphries and Humphries, solicitors of Napier, for the last five months, said that shortly after be commenced duties his suspicious were aroused regarding several ledgers. He immediately made investigations aud as a result found serious defalcations in many accounts. After detailing the various accounts and transactions from which the charges arose, witness said that with * emtiezzlemeuis or other moneys not accounted for to Humphries [and Humphries, the defalcations totalled £2lll Ils lid. Refunds made by Bailey totalled £440 13s, leaving a net shortage of £1670 18s lid. To Air. Gifford, witness staled that Bailey had given him every assistance to clear up the whole matter. Evidence was given by DetectiveSergeant Bickerdike that accused called at the detective office, making a statement admitting the hef of he money, the property of Humphries and Humphries, Napier. He was then arrested and charged with theft, being after* wards released on bail. At the time of the arrest the total amount of money stolen was not known, but an investigation showed the amount misappropriated to be that with, which he was charged. Ou June 21, Bailey made a further statement, to which he made additions. On June 28, prior to making this statement, he was shown a statement made by the witness White. This Bailev said was true. Bailey had ! given every assistance to clear up these ' uff en ce s.