MONEY CONVERTED

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1933, Page 2

MONEY CONVERTED

CHARGE AGAINST ELDERLY MAN

THE SUM OF £2460 INVOLVED

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, November 16

Having, suffered a stroke just before the : opening of the present session of the Supreme Court, Frank ' Thomas ,'Castle,. aged 65. appeared before Chief Justice Myers, to-day, on a charge of committing a criminal breach of trust, by converting to his own use, moiney amd securities, 'amounting to £2462, from his -late wife's-estate, of which he was trustee. '}

When the case was mentioned at the opening of the session, his counsel, Mr W. E. Leicester, .pt-aled th t accused, who was totally deaf .and almost blind, had suffered a stroke that morning. Accused had entered a plea of not guilty in the Lower Court, and his medical adviser was of the opinion. that accused would be unfit to appear at the present quarterly session.

To-dav, however, Castle was able to appear, and entered, a plea of guilty. The Chief Justice said.; “In the ordinary circumstances, seeipg this is a serious breach of trust, I would hive no alternative but to pass . a senteree of imprisonment. In view of the medical reports, 'j .feel it- would be iitnip roper, (and fin-deed inhuman, to adopt that course. I cannot see what good purpose, In . the clrcAmstanceß, would be served -by sanding you’-.'to prison. What; I shall .do Is to order you t<) come tip ’ for i .'sentence -if and when called upon, within a period- of eighteen calendar mo-nths from- now.”