THE ELLIOTT CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 132, 26 May 1908, Page 2

THE ELLIOTT CASE.

SUPREME COUKT SENTENCE. Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Albert Clarence Elliott, the Wellington bankrupt, who recently went to Australia, returning and surrendering to tlie police at Auckland, was sentenced at the Supreme Court this evening to three years' hard labor for fraud and theft upon each of four charges, the sentences to be concurrent. Before sentence was passed, Mr. Wilford, for accused, said Elliott was 32 years of age. - He .started business four years ago with a capital of £25. His first venture resulted in a loss ot£loo, necessitating borrowing money .at a high rate of interest. Then he endorsed bills for others and got further into trouble. He had paid as much as £BO for the loan of £2OO for a month, £lO for £25 for six weeks, and £ls for £SO for two months. Then he started speculating. His health broke down, and ho started on a career which landed him in the dock. Mr. Wilford submitted that the prisoner was a sinner rather than a criminal.

Mr. Myers, Crown prosecutor, pointed out that there was evidence of forgery and the deficiency amounted to thousands of pounds. On a further charge which Elliott contested the jury found a verdict of not guilty.