PERJURY CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 226, 23 September 1932, Page 3

PERJURY CHARGE.

CARTER SENT FOR TRIAL

INTERVIEW WITH DETECTIVE

SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT CLAIM,

After a prolonged hearing in the Police Court yesterday, Ernest Cheadle, aged 30, carrier and contractor, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court on a. charge of perjury. The cliar u 3 against him was that on August 12, he committed perjury on a hearing before Mr. Justice Herdman, in the Supreme Court, Auckland, of a writ issued by Michael Walter Karews claiming damages against Arthur Stanley Holtoii, for negligence, by falsely swearing, "I remember Tuesday, February 23, this year. I saw an accident just before 1 o'clock. I was walking up Symonds Street and nearly opposite the accident," whereas in truth and in fact, he was not in Symonds Street at 1 p.m. and did not see the accident. Edward Lyell, of the Auckland Hospital staff, gave evidence to the effect that accused and Karews were both in Ward 1 of the Auckland Hospital between March 8 and 10 of this year. Andrew Sinkovich said he met accused at Freeman's Bay on August 15 and discussed with him a carting contract. In the course of conversation witness told accused he had seen his name in the paper over an accident. Accused said he received £150 as the result. Witness said, "You are lucky," and accused said, ''I only just told you for fun." He informed accused on August 23. that he had given a statement to a solicitor. Witness aeked accused if he had told somebody that for £250 he would tell the whole truth. His answer was, "Yes." Witness told the accused he was mad to tell lies. Witness asked accused what was at the back of the case ami accused said the taxi driver had no money to fight the case and that there was another man at the back of it to provide the finance, and if he won the case the man who financed it would take half; and if the case was lost the taxi driver would lose nothing. Witness when asked by accused said he would give truthful evidence if called on. Andrew Sinkovich, jun., corroborated evidence given by the previous witness. Interview With Solicitor. Robert Edwin Fawcctt, solicitor, said he interviewed accused at Northcote on August 20. Witness said that accused informed him that he had told Andrew Sinkovich over the telephone that he (accused) was getting £150 out of the accident case. Accused aleo said that if he (witness) gave him £250 ho would get evidence to convict the financier behind the case. He repeated the statement several times and accused said the circumstances were suspicious, but he (accused) wae honest. Accused eaid a financier who took a risk over an accident case was entitled to get something. Accused said that on the facts he look* guilty, and was likely to get twelve months. Detective Sergeant Doyle, who interviewed the accused Cheadle on August 20 at Northcote in reference to the case Karews v. Holton, then gave evidence. Accused accompanied witness and Detective McWhirter to Auckland and at the detective office witness asked Cheadle to go to Symonds Street and point out the place where the accident occurred. At first accused pointed out a spot about 37 yards from City Road. Then he pointed out another place. The spot he eventually pointed out was 10 yards south of the actual spot. Asked where he was going and who was with him on the day of the accident, Cheadle said he was alone and was going to Grafton Bridge to meet a girl. Cheadle said he met the girl after the accident. "I have no doubt you told her all about the accident," said Detective Sergeant Doyle. "Cheadle said ho had told her, so I told him that was important and in hie own interests she should be seen. Hβ refused to give me the name of the girl. Cheadle said, 'No, you jokers will go and see her and she would tell you she never saw the accident and I would be further "in the cart" than I am now.'"' "What do you mean by 'in the cart'?" witness asked accused. "Well, I would look a bigger liar than I am now," replied Cheadle. When informed of what Sinkovieh's evidence would be, Cheadlo said Sinkovich came to town with him on only one occasion, but that it was not February 23. Said He Saw Accident. Continuing, Detective Sergeant Doyle said Cheadle said he left his truck outside a garage and walked up Symonds Street about 1 o'clock, when he saw the accident. Accused told witness he knew Karews when he was a bus driver and taxi driver. He later met Karews when Karews and he were both patients in the Auckland Hospital. Cheadle added that he went to see Karews and told him he had seen the accident. He told Karews that he did not want to give evidence. Cheadle at this stage told witness he"would not discuss the case any further. On September 7 witness arrested Cheadle. He made no reply to the charge.

Cheadle pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.