BLACKMAIL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19645, 14 June 1929, Page 7

BLACKMAIL.

JBTCFE INTERCEPTS LETTER. CHARGE AGAINST MOTOR DRIVER. [TUB FBBSS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, June 13. "k letter meant for a husband, but Mad by his'wife, resulted in trouble for Claude Edgar Young, aged 26, a jMftor driver. When Young penned the letter to Samuel Arthur on June fth, little did he think that the oonlwt» would be made public, or that il' would result in his appearance at tie Magistrate's Court this morning «B » charge which Mr F. K. Hunt, isM., said amounted to blackmail. Young was charged that with fceaaces he did demand £22 10s from Arthur with intent to steal this sum. Mr Singer represented Young "This is a peculiar case," said ChiefDetective Hammond. "Young once worked with Arthur, when some years •|o they had been in the habit of liking girls out for motor-car drives. Subsequently accused left Arthur's eml*jy He conceived the idea of getiag tome eaay money out of Arthur •id wrote him the following letter: — "1 have been to my lawyer about • separation order from my wife. 1 k»ve ample proof that you have been Uking her about with you while your •»n wife was absent. My word, that *»a downright mean of you, Arthur. If I get £22 10s from you by Wednes<l»y to pay my solicitor's costs I won't ■» any further with the matter. You Me getting off light.' "Young> added Mr Hammond, "rather than sign his own name employed a nom de plume, giving as his •daress, care of Parnell Post Office. »e letter also contained the following P.S.:—'You are a rotten devil to Ifre my wife drink.' Mrs Arthur got Pwaesaion ot the letter and wrote to tte address given asking for further Particulars, and asking the writer to «»ke an appointment with her. Young, *>H under another name, again wrote to Arthur. Mrs Arthur was a sensible *w»an to hand the letter over to her snsband, and the matter was after*Vda reported to us." Mr Hammond said Young was not *"ong. He suggested that the charge Wight be reduced to one of attempted theft and be dealt with by the Magis*»te. Young had never been in any tftwble previously. Mr Singer said Young had been « desperate straits and had been out •f work. It was only then that ho wised thi* scheme. Arthur owed him •*ne money,'* but, of course, that did •«* palliate the offence. Mr Hunt: This is blackmail, you ■»ow, Mr Singer. m "Hardly, Sir." replied counsel. Anyway, as your Worship can see, ™»ng U not a desperado by any ■*»ns." (Laughter.) -Mr Hunt decided to remand Young ■t sentence until to-morrow so that •report might be obtained from the "Obation Officer in the meantime.