YOUNG LAWYER’S DOWNFALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 1

YOUNG LAWYER’S DOWNFALL

MISAPPROPRIATED TRUST FUNDS REFORMATIVE DETENTION ORDERED Allowed to practise law at an “indecently young” age oi 22.

This was pleaded as an excuse for the downfall of John Charles Woodley (27), a solicitor of Auckland, who was sentenced to two years reformative treatment to-day for the theft of trust funds. He admitted that he had stolen amounts of £l6O and £l3O, but pleaded not guilty to a charge involving £9l.

Sentencing the prisoner his Honour Mr. Justice Stringer said: “It is a very deplorable thing that a young man with ability should wreck a promising career by the misappropriation of trust funds. If I considered him alone I would be disposed to think that the social disgrace which he suffers and the fact that, for an indefinite time, he is debarred from following his profession would be punishment enough. “But I have a duty to perform to the public which is compelled to repose trust and confidence in these men. It is impossible to do otherwise than impose a substantial penalty. This is also necessary in the interests of the profession which he has disgraced. The misappropriation of trust funds cannot be passed over without a mark of disapprobation from the court.” ‘'He was too young to possess the moral stability called for in the practice of his profession,” said Mr. E. H. Northcroft, who represented the prisoner. “To be called to his profession at the age of 22 was indecently young. If he had been unable to practise for some years, he might not have found himself in his present position.” Counsel declared that he found it difficult to discharge his duty to the court and to Woodley. The young

man went through his schools brilliantly. After-wards he had been employed in the offices of the late Hon. J. A. Tole, Crown Prosecutor, and of Mr. Conlan. At 22 he had qualified and was practising as a solicitor. It was unfortunate that when this happened five years ago the land boom ■was prevailing. A considerable measure of success came to the young man and he -was married. RECKLESSLY EXTRAVAGANT In his way of living he became recklessly extravagant, his expenditure being based on the presumption that his prosperity, like the land boom, would last. Clients trusted him with large sums of money, amounts of which were for speculation. The affairs of the office were managed carelessly. The auditing of his books was apparently an inefficient systepi, for there was no check on the loans taken by Woodley from clients’ funds. The issuing of a judgment summons by one of the client’s solicitors precipitated affairs and Woodley absconded 'to Australia. He had not deserted his wife and left her destitute, for she had been in the care of her mother for a long time. Accused was not in the position of an ordinary business man because he could not start over again in his profession.