BETTING WIRE FRAUD

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1931, Page 3

BETTING WIRE FRAUD

JANSEN SE sTENDED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 4. Allred Jansen, restaurant proprietor, of Wanganui, who was found guilty last Wi ek of attempting to defraud Peter Healv of £63 ss, and that with intent to defraud by a false pretence, a false telegram, he attempted to obtain from Air Healv, tobacconist, of Wanganui, a sum of money, was sentenced by Chief Justice Myers to-day. He got nine months’ imprisohm nt. Accused admitted that the tel’gram he had handed in at Te Aro Post Office had been taken out of the m iin Post and Telegraph Office, Wellington General Post Office after arrival there, and then altered by him in the ! tramway* waiting office opposite.

.•• Prisoner at the ba(r.” said : His Honour, “I shall take into consideration the fact that, since the, verdict, you have made a very full and, 1 believe, truthful statement of all circumstances connected with the fraud in which you participated. At your trial .1 formed the opinion that the fraud was conceived by a more cunning and astute brain than yours, and it appears clear from your statement that that opinion was correct. Nevertheless, you were a willing tool, and you participated in the crime with you eyes open. ■ I shall take into consideration, however, the fact that you wore not the originator of the fraudulent scheme. As I said to the grand jury last week, I,have no right to express any opinion as to whether the business of the bookmaker should be legalised, or whether, as now, its carrying on should be prohibited as an offence against the criminal law. That is a matter for the Legislature, but I have not only the right, hut the duty, to point out that the present surreptitious carrying on of the business of bookmaking is a festering sore in the vitals of the community, as is disclosed by the circumstances of tins case, and of other cases that have: from time to time come before, the Court. It offers a, premium to the perpetration of. fraud and dishonesty, and, what,, is far worse,' it is calculated to lead, as. it has led in this ease, to the corrupt?, ing of officers in the most important branch of the public service. His Honour went on to say that the corrupting of two officers of the telegraph service he regarded a-s the gravamen of offence, but he took into consideration it was not arranged bv the prisoner personally. W’ l ' I'* 1 '* tllo law remained as it was its observance should be enforced.