WAHAROA YOUTH’S FOLLY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 233, 19 April 1928, Page 3

WAHAROA YOUTH’S FOLLY.

FORGING AND UTTERING. Also Alleged Minor Theft. Remanded at Matamata on April 3 on charges of forgery, uttering and theft, Ernest Alexander Cooper, of Waharoa, who was arrested by Conrtable Mathiesou, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, Te Aroha, on Thursday. Accused was a probationer, .and was charged with: (1) On April 2 at Waitoa he did forge a cheque for £G 2s Gd and caused Louis Alfred Cordes to act upon it as if it were genuine; (2) that on the same date and from the same place he stole a gent's gold ring valued at £2 and £6 in money, the property of David Allison; (3) that he stole a cheque form valued at 2d, the property of Cecil Cooper.

Messrs. S. Sellars and W. Williams were on the bench. Constable Monson, who conducted the prosecution, said that on the evening of April 2 the accused, who was driving a motor lorry between Te Aroha and Matamata, stopped at Waihou and during the temporary absence of the owner entered the house of Mr. Cooper and stole the ring and cheque. He filled in the cheque, signed it with the name of Cecil Cooper, and cashed it at a store in Waitoa. Accused was subsequently arrested at Waharoa.

Constable Mathieson stated that on April 3, shortly after 2 p.m., he saw the accused, who was well-known to him, at Waharoa. On questioning him regarding the missing gold ring accused asked witness to accompany him to his lodings. He was living with Mr. Walker. While in his bedroom witness said: “ Where is the cheque you took from Cecil Cooper’s book?” Accused was dressing himself to accompany witness to Matamata. There was no answer for a few minutes. Accused then went over to his bed, lifted the mattress, and took out a sealed envelope (produced) addressed to solicitors, Hamilton. He tore the top off, took out a roll of notes and handed them to witness. Witness said: “Then you cashed the cheque alright?” and he replied “ Yes.” Later at the police station at Matamata witness informed accused that he would be charged with theft and forgery and uttering, and at that stage he was not obliged to say anything. Accused made a statement in which he admitted taking the ring and also the cheque,

which he filled in and signed Cecil Cooper. He also admitted cashing the cheque. He denied taking any other money in notes. He intended using the change for the cheque in paying for a suic of clothes in connection with which he had received a threatening letter. Evidence with regard to the theft of the gold ring, £G in money and the cheque form was then heard. Accused pleaded guilty on the charg:s of stealing, forgery and uttering the cheque, but not guilty to the charge of the theft of £6 in notes. On the first charges he was committed for sentence at the next sittings cf the Supreme Court at Hamilton, and on the last charge he was committed for trial.

Eail was allowed, one surety for £2OO and a bond from the accused for £IOO. The accused was also required to report three times weekly to the police.