THREE YEARS GAOL FOR THEFTS OF MONEY

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1947, Page 6

THREE YEARS GAOL FOR THEFTS OF MONEY

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- ' WELLINGTON, June 17. "If it had been a poor woman whose money you took, I would pass a heavier sentence," stated Mr. Justice Cornislf in the Supreme Court today, when sentencing Sidney James Hogg Sawell, sharebroker, aged 56, to three(, years hard labour for the theft of more than £200 from a Mrs. Thurston for whom_ he has exercised power b'f 'attorhey. His Honour added that there was ' no' differenefe u'nder the law for Tich or'pbbr vic-!* tims. The Wbihan was not ieduefed "to poverty by what prisoner had* done but dishonesty in a positioh' of trust was always. regarded with, severity by the court. . " For prisoner Counsel stated that he had never had a seat on' the stoclc exchange. His income from the firrn in which he had been partner had begun to dwindle unti) 1940 he was receiVing only £4 weekly. Having been accustomed to a fairly high standard of living, it was diflicult for him to drop out from the associations he had formed among men of considerable income. Sawell was an educated and cultured man. His wife had money of her own and was accustomed to the rate of ex penditure which prisoner had striven to maintain. In order to lielp his income he had taken employment with various organisations and as a land agent and sub-agent. Prisoner 's speculatioiis with Mrs. Thurston 's money had begun in a small way and a return of prosperity which would have enabled a reimburse ment never came. The thefts had been very easy to commit for over all the years prisoner never had to account to his prineipal whose power of attornev he held and slie did not rely on tlie income from the money he administered. The Judge said it was a particularly distasteful task for a Judge to sentence a man of prisoner 's years who had led a good life and, until the present case. had been known as a cultured and reputable citizen. }