TROUBLES OF A POLICEMAN.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12571, 14 August 1906, Page 4

TROUBLES OF A POLICEMAN.

A CONSTABLE ALLEGES BLACKMAIL. The trials and tribulation- of a policeman wore brought before the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Agnes Whito claimed from Charles Wootten, a police constable stationed at Lyttelton, a counterpane valued at l_*s 6d, one lady's muff valued at 10b -Sd, money lent to him 2s 6d, and cost of meals supplied to him £2, making'a total claim of £3 5s 6d. The plaintiff stated that she had supplied the goods to the defendant. He had gone to her house and had had meals to the value of £2. It had been through her that the defendant had obtained his position in the police force. She stated that she had given tho late Mr John Joyce, M.H.R. for Lyttelton, £1 to get him into the .force. Defendant had begged and prayed of her to help him, as Mr Joyce was a great personal friend of hers.. The Magistrate cautioned the woman as to the statement she had mado against the late Mr Joyce, and when ho asked her again, she said she thought that she had given him money to defray the expenses in thiß matter. Defendant denied ever having any meals in her house. Ho had, however, had a cup of tea on two occasions. Tho muff had been left at his ! house one night, and he had taken it I round to her later, but had not received a receipt for it. Letters had been written to the Chjof Justice and th© Commissioner of Police about him by her, and he had himself asked for an enquiry into tho matter, so that it could bo settled up. - He laid that he must have something clone in regard to tho qase, as the plaintiff was always pestering him and calling him a thief and a rogue. Ho had been in the force seven years, and had applied two' yeare before he knew Mr Joyce for a position. That was when he was in Dunedin. Plaintiff had not got him into the force. He denied over borrowing money from her. It was a case of blackmail, and she had tried her best to get him dismissed. Mrs Wootten, wife of the defendant, stated that the plaintiff had brought the counterpane round to her house one evening, and witness said that it was not any good to her. Another lady happened to be present, and she took it, and it was at present in that ladys possession. With regard to the muff, it had been returned. It was not a lady's muff, but one belonging to a child. •

The Magistrate gave judgment for defendant, with costs.