Defamation charge withdrawn
PA Auckland The police have withdrawn a charge of defamation against a Waiheke man and apologised for any embarrassment caused to him. The charge arose from the election last October of the Waiheke County Council. Mr Colin Walter Devine, aged 51, a manager, was charged with defaming an election candidate, Mr Gordon Hodson. Mr Devine was called in the District Court at Auckland to face the charge but it was withdrawn by the police prosecutor. Senior-Sergeant Don Sommerville said the police had received new information, after the proceedings against Mr Devine were started by a summons, that showed the charge to be without foundation. “The police apologised to Mr Devine for any embarrassment or inconvenience caused by the laying of the charge,” Senior-Sergeant Sommerville said. A second Waiheke man charged with defaming Mr Hodson and another election candidate, Mr Bute Hewes, denied the charges. Alfred William Starkey, aged 62, retired, iff Waiheke, was remanded by Judge Browne for a defended hearing on August 11.
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Press, 20 May 1987, Page 47
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167Defamation charge withdrawn Press, 20 May 1987, Page 47
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