HUSBAND IN CUPBOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 307, 28 December 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

HUSBAND IN CUPBOARD.

ALLEGED BLACKMAIL ATTEMPT. WIFE'S "CONFESSION." An extraordinary story was told at Epping (Essex), . when William Geach, Navestock, was charged with demanding with menaces £150 from Alfred George Bayles, grocer, Abridge.. Bayles stated that he called on Geach's wife for a grocery order. When Mrs. Geach opened the door he went inside, and Geach came out of a cupboard and made an accusation against him. Geach later asked him to write a cheque for £ 150, but he said that it would take two people to write the cheque, and he did not wish his people to know- anything about it. Geach offered to take £30 or £50 and the remainder later. Eventually it was agreed that they should meet between Chigwell Lane Station and Rolls Park on the following Thursday, when Bayles was to pay an agreed sum of £25, Father's Advice. After what happened at Geach's house, he told his mother and father, and, acting on their advice, informed the police. Arrangements were made for the police to accompany him to Chigwell Lane, when he kept the appointment with Geach and Detective Inspector Totterdell and Detective Norman went with him in a covered van. When they met Geach there was a conversation about the money, and Geach said that he had a confession from his wife. He also said he wanted Bayles to pay £3 a week for a year. At this point the detectives appeared and Geach was arrested. Bayles was cross-examined by Geach, and he said that it was not a fact that as soon as he entered the house he put his arms round Mrs. Geach and addressed her as darling. Geach: Do you still say you have never committed adultery with my wife?— Yes; it is a lie. Geach was committed for trial.