EXTORTION CHARGE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29803, 21 April 1962, Page 13

EXTORTION CHARGE

Alleged Threat To Woman

(N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, April 19. A man charged in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court today with extortion broke down when questioned on his experiences as a prisoner-of-war. The case is understood to be the first of its kind in New Zealand since the introduction of the new Crimes Act.

Mr L. M. Inglis, S.M., ordered the names of all witnesses and the accused not to be published. Accused, a married man. was charged with sending a written document threatening expressly to make accusations or disclosures of sexual misconduct, with intent to induce a woman to have intercourse against her will. He pleaded not guilty Detective Senior-Sergeant J. G. Long prosecuted. Nine witnesses, including two detectives, were called.

Evidence was given that four letters were written by occused and sent to complainant’s home. The first was addressed to the woman and the second to her husband. The lest two were handed to the police unopened. The letters, read in Court, threatened complainant that if she did not meet him at an arranged place and time the accused would make known alleged misconduct by the woman.

Further evidence was also given that accused made several telephone calls asking for a reply to questions in the letters. <

On advice from the police the woman agreed to meet the accused. Accused was arrested in Hamilton by detectives when keeping the appointment. The case was adjourned until April 30.