ACQUITTED MAN FAINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1926, Page 19

ACQUITTED MAN FAINTS.

JUDGE CLEARS COURT

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, April 22

There was a dramatic scene at Liverpool Assizes to-day, when a verdict of not guilty was returned in the - case of Charles Frederick Wiseman (30), assistant purser on the White Star liner Megantic. who was alleged to have stolen notes and cheques to the value of £500 while the liner was at Bermuda in the course of a world pleasure cruke.

Wiseman alleged that the incrirninatin" documents which threw suspicion xipon him were put into his pocket by another member of the crew while lie was drinking on shore. The man concerned stoutly denied this. When the verdict was announced there was loud clapping from ttte spectators' gallery. "Stop," exclaimed Mr. Justice Swift sternly to the clerk, who was formally taking the verdict. "Have the whole Court at the back cleared." The proceedings were suspended for two minutes while the police cleared the Court. The clerk then called once again for the jury's verdict, but before it could be given the accused man collapsed in a faint in the dock. Restoratives were applied, but the judge, who had ordered his discharge, had left the Bench before the man recovered.

Wheal eventually he left the Court, Wiseman found a large crowd waiting for liim, and there was again-much clapping.