POLICEMAN FAINTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1931, Page 12

POLICEMAN FAINTS

ACCUSED OF BLACKMAIL. A policeman fainted in the witnessbox at Greenwich Police Court, when a motorist, Archibald Neale Buckland, of East Dulwich, alleged that the constable had attempted to blackmail him. Buckland, who was summoned for not showing lights, said he left his motor-car outside a friend’s hous n , : where he fell asleep in a chair. When he awakened he saw Police Constable Hubbard of “P” Division, sitting in another chair opposite. “The constable sat there for half-an-hour, and had two or three drinks with my host,” Buckland said. “He left, saying I 4 would not hear anything more about the car .its, but an hour later he came back and asked me for my address. “ ‘I am going to report you,’ he said, ‘unless you make it worth my while.’ “I was so indignant that I went t> the police station and reported the matter.” Mr Metcalf, the magistrate, said the allegations were serious and would have to be put before the Commissioner. Buckland replied that this had al ready been done. At this point Police Constable Hubbard fainted in the witness-box and was later led from the Court. Buckland, who,'the magistrate said, did not seem -to have behaved very well, was fined £2 for having no lights on his car.