POLICE HOAXED

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 140, 15 June 1936, Page 11

POLICE HOAXED

"MBKItER" AT COLLEGE

DUNEOfN PROSECUTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, This Day.

A senseless hoax perpetrated on th police on Saturday night, by whicl they were led to believe that a promi nent figure in academic and ecclesias tical circles had been murdered, ha( its sequel in the Police Court thi: morning, when a medical student George De Lacy Fenwick, was chargec with making a false statement to thi police that a crime had been com mitted. Senior-Sergeant Packer said that th( accused had admitted the offence, bui as there were others concerned an ad journment would be necessary. Mr. Silverstone appeared for the ac cused, who was not present in court The senior-sergeant said that at 11.4 C on Saturday night a telephone .message was received by Sergeant Forsythe a 1 the watch-house: "Is that the police station? Send some police up here a! once. I have just found Dr. Merrington murdered." The sergeant questioned the person ringing, and the latter satisfied him that everything was in order. "Please hurry," the voice continued. "Sim, sub-master at Knox College, speaking. Please hurry. I can't wait any longer." The sergeant and three policemen speeded to the college by motor, to find that Dr. Merrington was well and nothing had occurred. The police immediately set out on inquiries, and a constable located the accused at another college. He admitted the offence. .. The senior-sergeant said that such a practice, besides being foolish, might be very dangerous, because if such messages were received it was possible that when a genuine message was received by the police a few valuable minutes might be lost while inquiries were being made. Counsel's application for suppression of the accused's name was refused, and the case was adjourned till Monday.