MAN'S PATHETIC STORY

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 31, 9 January 1930, Page 5

MAN'S PATHETIC STORY

MAGISTRATE GIVES BANKNOTE,

At the Central Police Court, Sydney,iast week David Hereford Thornton, fitter, 25 was charged! by warrant with having falsely pretended to Mary Zantis that he was a carter employed by G. E. Cran« and Sons Ltd., :of Pitt Street, that lie had seated that he had failed to -collect a C.O.D. .order for £2 On behalf of that firm and by such" false''pretence, obtained the sum "of £2 from Mary Zantis. Sergeant Rapper (Police Prosecutor) said that defendant was the father of- a child only two months old. .Defendant was laiown to be in very pool circumstances and he had not been before the Court on any previous charge. .

Speaking• with, great emotion defendant said: I have been out of work since

last. June, when I was retrenched JEroni the railways after "three months' -work.' I have tried hard everywhere to.obtain employment and have f aileci/ I had the ! offer of a job on^Friday last; but owing ,*to my having been arrested on this charge I could not be in attendance'and -lost the ehanee. My wife and child and myself live in one room. Last week I paid-the. rent, with the very last money that I had, having pawned everything I possessed in order to get some money. I My-little baby had had W milk for two day s^ and in a moment of desperation i got this money when I was desperate, got the £2, meaning; to pay it back when I got employment. Last week I spent my last money on getting a tin of Lactogen for my child. Will you give me a ehanee for I have tried hard to get work._

:Mr Laidlaw, S.M.: Yes'l will 'give, you a chance. It is very sad. Personally I am very sorry for you. Seeingt tha you have been in gaol since Friday I will discharge you on your entering into a personal bond of £10 to be of goo& behaviour for six months. You will have to make restitution of the £2 with 8/- costs and I will allow you two months to pay it. If you are unable to pay.it then you can make application to. the Chamber Magistrate for an extension. •

Before the magistrate endorsed the charge sheet, he was seen to • take a banknote from his pocket and hand it to the charge constable. A few minutes later as defendant was leaving the court, the constable handed him the banknote.