Gaol for Issuing Valueless Cheques

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 6

Gaol for Issuing Valueless Cheques

In the Palmers tou North Magistrate’s Court yesterday Trevor William Pyne, aged 26, of Palmerston North, faced .17 charges of issuing valueless cheques ranging in amount from £1 to £22, at various places from Hastings to Blenheim. Senior-Detective A. B. Meiklejohn said accused was married with one child but living apart from his wife. He had had work as a farm manager on his father-in-law’s farm at Haraua and while there had opened a bank account at Pahiatua. However, the account dwindled and the bank had informed him that there was only a credit of 3s 6d. Nevertheless, he continued to issue cheques and had secured in this way £207 13s 6d. He only had fourpence when arrested, having spent all the money on board, drink and travelling. Although graded 4 for military service, there was no reason why he should not have been doing essential work. Mr. H. P. Lawry, S.M., pointed out that accused had drawn as much as £65 in one week. Pyne was sent to gaol for two months on each of the first four chai'ges, the terms to be cumulative. On the remaining 13 he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within two years.