GAMBLE TO RECOUP

Evening Star, Issue 23377, 21 September 1939, Page 10

GAMBLE TO RECOUP

INSURANCE AGENT SENTENCED £3,000 INVOLVED [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 21. Eric Stanley Watts (d 7), insurance agent, who was recently committed for sentence on 10 charges of theft involving the sum of approximately £3,000, came before Mr Justice Callan to-day and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour. For the prisoner, Mr L. K. Munro said one of the tragedies of the- case was that Watts had never been able to escape from the consequences of his organised wrongdoing, which had .developed until a great sum of money was involved. The judge said he realised that the prisoner had borne a good reputation until these offences came to light. The offences had grown out of gambling and the temptation to increase stakes to recoup losses oft horse racing. Having regard to the magnitude of his criminal dealings, the least sentence the court could reasonably impose was two years’ imprisonment. _ , Hr Munro inquired if this would enable the prisoner to be in the open air during his confinement. “ That is not a question for this court,” replied His Honour.