Bribe offered to police, court told

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33779, 27 February 1975, Page 2

Bribe offered to police, court told

r.y’ew Zealand Press Association!

AUCKLAND, February’ 26.

A charge of offering a bribe to a police officer was denied by .John Robert Daw. a shop assistant, in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Daw, who appeared before I justices of the peace for the, taking of depositions, wasji committed to the Supreme Court for trial. i Detective Constable J. M. i Hogan said he searched a,; house in Takapuna on December 18, and found can- j nabis and SlOO7 in Daw’s H possession. 1

Later, at the Otahuhu police station, Daw appeared quite upset when witness advised him that a charge of cannabis possession was being laid. •STATION QUIET

“He remained silent for some time, and then commented that the police station was very quiet — it was about 7 a.m.,’’ said witness. "I said the staff was not due to start until 8 a.m.. andhe said, ‘lf your boss is not here, why don’t you just let me walk out of here and' forget the charge?’ “He reached to the table for the money, handed it in my direction, and said: ‘lf; you let me walk out and forget about the charge, the money is yours’," said witness. “I said: ’All the money?’ | "He said: ‘Sure, it’s worth; more .han $lOOO to get off a charge like possession of a drug’.” Daw was then advised that he was also being charged with attempting to bribe a police officer, said Detective Hogan. Later, at the central police station. Daw had said: “Okay, I’ll admit the drug bit: forget about the bribery one,” said witness. OTHER CHARGES Later todav. Daw appeared before Mr W. J. Mitchell. SAL. on charges of making a false declaration under the

Exchange Control Regulations in respect of $2898.1 and of possessing cannabis. The Magistrate adjourned; the exchange control charge., to which Daw pleaded not] guilty, until March 5 for fur-1 ither evidence. He said he I proposed also to take a plea on the cannabis charge at that hearing. ' ■