PERVERSION OF JUSTICE ?

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 March 1930, Page 2

PERVERSION OF JUSTICE ?

A RARE CASE. LONDON, January 19. Alfred Ernest Dean (53), borough treasurer of Swindon, was before the Lord Justice at Devizes Assizes yesterday found not guilty on a charge alleging that “between September 27 and October 23, at Swindon, he attempted to obstruct and pervert the course of justice in relation to certain proceedings contemplated against his son Wyndham Dean (15) before a court of summary jurisdiction.” Mr E. H. C. Wethered, for the prosecution, said the substance of the charges in the five counts of the indictment against Dean was that instead of relying on the proceedings against his son taking their normal course before the justices, he tried to influence the justices in favour of his son in anticipation of those proceedings being taken.

A charge was made against the boy on September 14 of having improperly assaulted a little girl of eight years. Naturally the father was in a state of great distress about it. Quite naturally also he was convinced that his boy was innocent. A summons was not issued until October 7. The charges against Dean were: — (1) That on September 22 he called on Major-General Calley, chairman of the County Bench, and attempted to bias his mind in favour of the boy so that the summons should not be issued, and to get the General to read a statement of facts so that his mind might be influenced before he heard what the prosecution had to say; (2) that on September 29 Dean called on another justice, Mr Hinton; (3) that on September 30 and October 5 he called on Mr William Henry Lawson, J.P., a friend of Mr Dean’s for 30 years; (4) that on October 2 he called on Major Wright, J.P.,; and (5) that on October 7 he got a friend, Mr Thomas Metcalfe, to interview another justice, Mr Deacon, and to ask if he was going to sit that day. The summons was heard on October 23 when none of the justices approached by Dean sat on the Bench. The result of the proceedings was that the boy was convicted, but on appeal at the Quarter Sessions, the conviction was quashed. At the end of the evidence for the prosecution, Mr. Tucker submitted that there was no evidence which amounted to that of a criminal offehce. There was not sufficient evidence to go to the jury of conduct which was calculated to interfere with the course of justice ox - to pervert the minds of the justices.

After hearing Mr. Wethered, the Lord Chief Justice said, “I have my own view about the matter, but perhaps,, in the interests of all parties, it may be well to take the view of the jury.”

The jury immediately returned a verdict of “Not guilty.” The Lord Chief Justice said that if there had been an attempt in this case to pervert the cause of justice, it would have been a very serious matter. “But,” added Lord Hewart, “looking at the evidence with a careful eye, I have come to the conclusion which the jury have now expressed.” Turning to Mr. Dean in the dock, the Lord Chief Justice said, “It is more satisfactory that you should have a verdict of not guilty at the hands of the jury, and you are discharged.” Mr. Dean left 'the Court receiving the congratulations of his friends.

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