SOLICITOR THREATENED

Evening Star, Issue 22797, 4 November 1937, Page 7

SOLICITOR THREATENED

LETTERS FROM CONTRACTOR OBSESSED WITH FRAUD ALLEGATION BOND TO KEEP PEACE ENTERED Threats against a city solicitor, whose firm, he alleged, had defrauded him, resulted in the appearance in the Police Court to-day of a contractor, Alfred Melville James, who was bound over to keep the peace. Complaints for sureties of the peace were made against the accused by a solicitor, while a criminal charge, which was withdrawn, was that on October 2 he sent a letter to the Commissioner of Police containing threats to do grievous bodily harm to the solicitor. James consented to being bound over. “Accused has apparently been under some obsession that he has been defrauded by a certain firm of solicitors, and he has been writing continually to the .police in regard to it,” said Chief-detective J. B. Young. “ The matter has been fully investigated, and no truth has been found in accused’s allegations. He then commenced to write threatening letters, and the last, in particular, made a threat against the solicitor. The charge was then made, but the Commissioner of Police, has suggested that, with the approval of the court, the case may be met by accused entering into a surety. With the court’s approval, no evidence will be offered on the Criminal charge.” Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for James, said there had been a longstanding feud between accused and the solicitor. The case had one or two unusual features. There was no suggestion of blackmail on accused’s part, and the letters were sent not to the virtual complainant but to the Commissioner of Police, stating what would be done if a prosecution were not taken against the firm concerned. After talking to counsel accused now realised_ that he must rely on his civil rights if he wanted an investigation of the position. James consented to take out « bond that he would keep the peace, public and general, towards the solicitor, Mr Bartholomew: A surety will have to be provided. Mr White: There will be difficulty in finding that. He is a man of considerable substance. Mr Bartholomew: Even so, it is the essence of the matter. After perusing the Act the Magistrate asked _ the chief detective if it would be satisfactory to dispense with a surety. “ Only on the distinct understanding that if there is any repetition of this, criminal action will he taken immediately,” replied Mr Young. James was bound over in self £2OO for 12 months and ordered to pay the costs of the complaint (10s). The criminal charge was struck out. Chief-detective Young asked for the suppression of the solicitor’s name. “It is only proper that the name should not appear in a case of this sort,” commented the magistrate, complying with the request. An application for the suppression of accused’s name was made by Mr White, who said that apart from this - trouble there .was no likelihood _what- - ever of James appearing on a criminal ’3. :t charge. He was in a big way of business and the case was also, in effect, a private one. The Magistrate : I am afraid_ I can- , not acquiesce in that, Mr White. I cannot make an order.