"CRUEL FRAUDS."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 10

"CRUEL FRAUDS."

THREE YEARS FOR ADAMS. STORY OF "UNCLE CHARLIE." PRISONER'S PREDATORY INSTINCTS '•These frauds are particularly cruel, and I have no faith in your statement that you will mako restitution. The offences are ones in which you have given full rein to your predatory instincts." With these preliminary remarks Mr. Justice Smith sentenced Wilfred Harold Adams (28) to three years' hard labour on two charges of false pretences and one of obtaining credit by fraud, in the Supreme Court this morning. Adams had pleaded guilty, admitting that he had duped a woman and taken from her £337, lulling her that his "Uncle Charlie, in Remuera" was about to give him money to start a business. Mr. Noble, who appeared for accused, said that Adams was 28 years old and had never before been before the court. ''He is one of those young men who go about the world with a very optimistic outlook, hoping for the best," said counsel. '•Hβ said that he was starting a business, but unfortunately this fell through. However, lie has told me that he will do his best to make restitution, and says that he has friends whom he thinks will repay the money. He informs me that if the Court gives him probation, the action may result in the people getting their money back." The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. V. R. Meredith, said that in the past Adams had been in the habit of obtaining loans from his fellow employees. "But he has not been convicted for that," said his Honor. "No, sir, but the police found these facts when making inquiries," replied Mr. Meredith. "However, two of these frauds are particularly cruel, and the other is an impudent one." His Honor said that the report of the probation officer was very much against the prisoner in relation to his honesty. He had deliberately taken the money from a woman, and had also imposed upon a restaurant keeper. His Honor considered that a deterrent sentence was necessary, and sent Adams to gaol for three years, with hard labour.