FIFTEEN CHARGES ADMITTED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 112, 9 February 1928, Page 18

FIFTEEN CHARGES ADMITTED

'/THEFT, FORGERY, AND VALUELESS CHEQUES

Fifteen charges,, including theft and forging and uttering valueless cheques,were admitted by George James Cullen, a labourer, aged 28, who appeared before ■Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Therd were five charges of forging and uttering cheques to the total value of .£96 165., six charges of issuing valueless cheques to the total value of £124 145., two charges of forging and uttering cheques to the value of £45 2s. 6d., a charge of stealing £3 10s. in money, and a cheque book valued at 2s. 2d. from Robert Morton Forster, and a charge of attempting to obtain goods valued in all at £l2 9s. 9d., from James Smith, Ltd., by means of a valueless cheque. Robert Morton Forster told tho Court that while staying at the Windsor Hotel ho met Cullen, who one day told him he had a “good thing” coming off at the races, on which he would put £5 for him. That night accused told witness that the horse had won and that he had £27 Ils. to give him. Cullen handed over a cheque for £37 10s., saying he had no change and witness gave him £lO. The next day Cullen reminded him that he owed him another £5, which he put on the totalisator. This witness paid also. Soon after this Cullen crept in his window while witness was sleeping, and stole his cheque book and money. He never saw him again. Cullen’s cheque, which was drawn on the Bank of New South Wales at Blenheim, was returned marked “no account.”

Moses Holden, who keeps a billiard saloon at Island Bay, said that he was introduced to Cullen, who, after playing a few games, got- him to cash a cheque for £27 10s. He never say Cullen again. Various statements were read ' out from people in the city and at Nelson and Blenheim who cashed cheques for accused, and, as they said, “never saw him again. Constable Murray read a statement taken from accused bv Detective Walker who had charge of the case, in which Cullen admitted everything. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. He was un-< uelended, and did not apply for bail.