Vendetta mystifies Billy T. James

Press, 21 July 1986, Page 3

Vendetta mystifies Billy T. James

PA Wellington The Comedian, Billy T. James, has no idea who is behind the vendetta against him which has led to a bullet being fired, a brick thrown through his window and a garotted cat left in his drive, reports the “Sunday Star.” James thought about Maori activists upset at his jokes on television being responsible but “they would rather have confrontation — not brick throwing and shooting” he said.

James said he had considered selling up his home “but where can I go?”

In the latest incident a bullet and a brick crashed through a window of his Titirangi home, disintegrating a bronze lampshade and peppering the room with shrapnel.

The entertainer was in another room talking to his wife, Lyn, who had returned half an hour earlier from an Australian holiday. “I heard a sound like a cracker going off,” he said. “I thought a kid had thrown a cracker up the driveway.

“Then there was a hell of a crash when the brick went through the window

in the office next door. Initially, I was shocked; it took a minute or so to gather myself together.

“It was obvious that someone had thrown something and I crawled along the passage to look out the window, then sat on the floor for about 10 minutes in case he threw something else.” James tried to call the police and feared his telephone had been cut when he could not get through — he was dialling the British 999 instead of 111.

He and his wife spent the night in the house, guarded by two police. James said the shot came after earlier ugly incidents which included a garotted cat, the wire still round its neck, placed on his drive.

“I didn’t sleep much, not so much out of fear but for wondering why, and who. The obvious one was that some group might have been upset at a skit in the television show.

"I though of Maori activists, but they have met me face to face, saying my jokes reflect the Maori image in an uncomplimentary light “They would rather have confrontation — not

brick-throwing or shooting.”

James stayed in the house last week with a police constable and patrol car outside.

“I would not have stayed without the police,” he said. “I feared a similar incident — or something a little more serious.” He worked in Hamilton the week-end of July 11 and 12, then took his wife for a brief stay at a hotel before returning home last Tuesday. “I considered selling up and moving,” he said, “but where can you go?”

After James was awarded the 0.8. E. in the New Year Honours List he received two deaththreat letters and a telegram saying his father had died. Then came the dead cat; and now the rifle shot and brick through the window.

James said he had huge support after the recent incident, with Maori people offering to mount a 24-hour guard on his house.

“I am trying to forget it and just get on with life,” he said. “But I am looking over my shoulder a bit more often now.”