FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 119, 7 May 1954, Page 9

FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE

EVENTS AT TAUPO Herbert James Ladbrook, 46, contractor, of Putaruru, appeared before Justices in the Rotorua Court on Friday, April 30, on 3 charges of issuing valueless cheques with intent to defraud. The case will be carried to the Supreme Court. Accused was arrested at Rangitaiki in March by. Constables E. H. Rowiands and W. D. Mills, of Taupo, and was remanded to Rotorua from the Taupo Court. Detective-Sergeant W. H. A. Sharp conducted the prosecution, and Mr D. J. Dillon appeared fof the accused. The alleged offences were committed at Taupo, but the prosecution has brought evidence of other valueless cheques alleged to have been issued elsewher by accused. Cheques Issued in Hotel Gladys Mary Fearnley, manageress of the Terraces Hotel, Taupo, said that on February 22 accused had asked her to cash a cheque for £10. The cheque had later been returned by the bank. On March 22, accused had again asked her to cash a cheque for £25. She made him reduce it to £5. That cheque also was returned. Accused had made restitution of neither amount James Robert Sloane Hurrell, manager of Taupo Stores Ltd., said that he had given goods and cash to the value of £25 in return for a cheque for that amount on February 19. He had seen accused when the cheque was returned. Accused had told him he had just paid a substantial amount into his account, and that if the cheque was presented again it would be honoured. He had done this, but it was again returned. Accused had not made restitution. Counsel Objects

Before calling further evidence, Mr Dillon said that he wishec formally to object, as the acts to be referred to, intended to indicate a "system" were not in fact similar as they were not the subject of Court action. The point would be argued in the Supreme Court. Harry Gladstone Tregonning, panel-beater, of Rotorua, said that accused produced an empty cheque book when he collected his truck after witness had done work on it to the value *of £20. Accused had said he had forgotten the book was empty and would pay later.

Eventually witness had gone to Rangitaiki and found accused at the hotel. Accused had produced the same empty cheque book, and witness had then produced his own. Accused filled in a form, which was returned by the bank. Accused had made no payment for the work done. About £440 was owing to his firm by accused, said Ronald Miller, storekeeper, of Reporoa. He had several times cashed cheques for accused which had not been met. Civil action was taken for £310 which was owing, excluding the cheques which at the time had not

been returned. No money had been repaid. Constable E. H. Rowlands, of Taupo, gave evidence of an interview with accused leading up to his arrest. As a result of a complaint he travelled to Rangitaiki and met Ladbrook, who claimed that if given a few minutes he could meet the cheques mentioned by the constable. Witness had asked him why he had not done so before. Accused attributed his action in not doing so to a contract failure in Putaruru. He ad.mitted he had other outstanding debts, but he said they involved only two people at Reporoa. They were not worried about them, he claimed. He said that he was not aware of any other debts, but the constable reminded him of two cheques that were outstanding to the lice/isee of the Terraces Hotel, Taupo. Accused then admitted that there would be five or six cheques outstanding and was then arrested. Bail was fixed at £100 with a surety of £100. Messrs. A. W. Downer and J. McDowell, J.'sP., were on the Bench.