SERIES OF FRAUDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 115, Issue 19202, 12 March 1934, Page 8

SERIES OF FRAUDS.

“DUD’’ CHEQUES ISSUED THREE TOWNS “ PAPERED.” YOUNG MAN PLEADS GUILTY. " There is only one course to take with you and that is to submit you to some sort of disciplinary treatment," observed Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, addressing John Cyril Thomas Hogan, labourer and electrician, aged 2 9 years, who admitted 11 charges of obtaining goods valued at a -total of £32 ISs sd, and money amounting to £53 4s 7d by means of valueless cheques. The offences were committed at Hamilton, New Plymouth and Tauranga on February 27, February 28 and March 3 respectively. 'J’lic goods obtained by the accused included separator discs, milkingmachine cups, a lawn mower, and various articles of clothing. .Constable .G. E. Callaghan stated that lie arrested the accused at Frankton on March 5. Ilogan then agreed to give tlie police every assistance in clearing up the offences with which he was involved. On March 10 witness interviewed the accused, who made a series of confessions regarding the cashing of valueless cheques. In one statement the accused said he had spent most of the money on drink and betting. On Drinking Bout. Senior-Sergeant ,T. J. Power told the magistrate that Hogan was a single man who, until December, was employed on his father’s farm- at Pukekolie. In January he started on a drinking bout in the Thames dislrict and lie was convicted 11 1 ore for obtaining credit by fraud and ordered to come up for sentence within 12 months if called upon. The present series of offences was started on February 20 and continued up to the time of his arrest. When arrested the accused was obviously suffering from the effects of heavy drinking. Hogan was only once in trouble before the Thames offence. To the magistrate’s question whether he had anything to say, the accused remarked: “Nothing, sir. except that booze was the cause of it.” “ There is not much to be said for you,” replied Mr Paterson. “ You were before the Court in Dunedin in 1926 and received a term of imprisonment which was apparently not a lesson to you as you were up again at Thames on January 18. Although treated leniently there you embarked on this series of frauds. Could Not Accept Explanation. “ I cannot accept the explanation Dial these frauds were all committed while you were under the influence of liquor, because in each case they show preparation and planning. Your method of work was similar in each case and you were lucky not lo he charged with forgery.” The accused was convicted and sentenced to two years’ reformative detention on ilie first charge and was convicted and discharged on ilie other counts.

On a further charge of obtaining separator discs valued at £1 14s 2d and money amounting to £4 18s 4d at Auckland by means of a valueless cheque (he accused was remanded to appear at Auckland next Monday.