FALSE INCOME-RETURN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 51, 23 November 1937, Page 6

FALSE INCOME-RETURN

Term of Imprisonment - . Imposed CASE IN HASTINGS COURT A montb's imprisonment was imposed by Mr J.- Miller,. S.M., in the Hastings Magistrate 's. Cpurt'., this - morning, op Gordon Hodgsqn, , who ,pb tained £70 12/6 by fal.se pretences tbrpugb axaking false statements of income., . . ; v ; Detective-Sergeant L. Eevell prosecuted, and Mr W. Selwyn Averill appeared for -the defence. . '• Mr Averill stated tbat , - tbe false statements bad been made because - accused did not fully understand the form wbicb he was required to fill in. An inv'alidity pension • wbicb did not require to be declared bad upon ■ several oceasiqns been inserted in tbe form, and altbougb tbe information was asked for on tbe form, accused was still unaware tbat be bad to declare an economie pension received by his wife. He was unable to worlc owing to a disability. Commenting tbat he felt it bis duty to imposo imprisonment in the case, tbe Magistrate imposed sentences of onc month's imprisonment on eacb of two charges, tbe sentences to be concurrent. For making a false declaration of bis earnings for oue week in September, Sidney James Bishop was fined £2 10/-, with 10/- costs. Tbe extra benefit received amounted to £1.