MILITARY OFFICER CHARGED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2789, 6 June 1916, Page 7

MILITARY OFFICER CHARGED

THEFT, FORGERY, AND UTTERING.

'' By Telegraph—Press Association.. Auckland, Juno 5. In the. Supreme Court, Cecil Lyttelton Hawkins, formerly adjutant of the 3rd Auckland Regiment, subsequently an officer in the Expeditionary Force, and latterly assistant quartermaster-general at Dunedin, cams up for sentence on eleven • charges of theft, and : one charge of forgery and uttering.' Tho offence, to which accused pleaded guilty in - the Lower Court, arose whilo Hawkins, then a captain, was administering regimental funds at Auckland between 1913 and 1914. Mr. Justice Cooper said the-money misappropriated amounted to a considerable sum, and extended over-so long a period tliat it was impossible to apply the First Offenders Act, ' but thero were special circumstances which justified him ■in treating tho matter in a,special way, subject to certain conditions. First, absolute and complete restitution must bo made. ' For a- considerable time tho prisoner's .mind was affected by domestic trouble, which to somo extent was responsible for his. financial muddle. Ho ordered accused to come up for sentence when called on. His character previous, ly was good, and ho had been a good officer. His Honour understood accused was prepared to .serve his country, and ho may be given 'the opportunity of ren- . dering service.