Sent For Trial

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 5

Sent For Trial

ALLEGATIONS that portions ** of fines recovered, from convicted persons had been retained by him, and that court records had been altered to conceal the defalcations, were made against an ex-constable, James Blakely, at Tolaga Bay recently. Magistrate Levvey did < not adorn the bench, for the simple reason that he was the principal witness against the accused, and the d,uty of listening to the lengthy formal evidence devolved upon two justices. There was not a large amount involved in the charges. It was alleged that Blakely had altered the amounts of several fines in the court entries and retained the balance.

Magistrate . Levvey, from the witness-box, testified to the alterations, which were not made by him, and did. not bear his initials as ' was customary when he did alter entries. He could not remember the amounts of the fines imposed.

Several persons who had paid fines, and other constables who had collected the sums involved, gave evidence of the discrepancies.

. Blakely pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed in the sum of £100, with two sureties of £50 each.