TRAIL OF “DUD” CHEQUES LEFT BY STABLE HAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 6, 1 July 1949, Page 5

TRAIL OF “DUD” CHEQUES LEFT BY STABLE HAND

After starting in Taranaki and working to the Bay of Plenty leaving a trail of false cheques as he proceeded, the career of Raymond Colin Dixon, stable hand, no fixed abode, was abruptly checked in the Whakatane Police Court on Wednesday when he was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment by Mr L. Brown and Mrs D. C. Petty, J’s.P. For the prosecution Constable R. F. Julian said there were five charges of false pretences and one of fraud. Accused had passed valueless cheques of values from £4 to £2O. and- pleaded guilty to all charges. On May 4 he presented a cheque of £2O at Patea; May 5 at Stratford one for £7; June 14 at Hamilton for £5; June 15 at Tauranga for £4 and defaulted a hotel for £2 6s. Then

on June 17 at Whakatane he obtained a blank cheque form from a restaurant proprietor, filled it in and used it to purchase a pullover. ' He was finally arrested at Opotiki. Constable Julian said accused booked in at the Commercial Hotel, Whakatane, under the name of Wilson and the ’valueless cheque he used at the drapery store was made out for £3.'

When asked if he had anything do say accused pleaded for leniency. If given a chance he intended to

make full restitution of the money. He wanted to get a job on a farm and remain steady. Before passing sentence Mr Brown told Dixon he had had plenty of chances but would now have to pay the penalty.