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GIRL IN CUPBOARD

DIRECTOR ACCUSED LONDON, February 29. A girl typist, giving evidence at the South Western Police>-court .on Saturday, told how she took a shorthand note of an office interview while hidden in a steel cupboard. The case was one in which Charles Edward Beck, 48, company director, of Tudor Lodge, Woodchest-road, Purley, is charged with demanding money by menaces. During the proceedings a company was referred to as the “X.Y.Z.” company, its real name not being revealed.

Mr. F. Levy, prosecuting, said that a little time ago Beck started a campaign of blackmail. A Mr. Dewar was a director of the National Automatic Machines Ltd., in which he and another man held all the shares. Some years ago the other man was associated with Beck in the Super Automatic Machine Company, Ltd., which sold and maintained automatic cigarette machines. In November, 1929, Beck obtained from the “X.Y.Z.” company a contract for . the supply and maintenance of automatic machines for the sale of cigarettes. A new company was formed called National Automatic Machines. Mr. Dewar became the secretary, and later a director, a,nd there were other directors. Beck asked them for assistance because he said the Super Automatic was in financial difficulties. The directors said that they would help Beck personally, and Mr. Dewar and another man purchased his holdings in National Automatic at five times their nominal value. Beck was not satisfied, and said he would give business information to their customers. Later he saw a member of the “X.Y.Z.” Company and made a statement to him.

’PHONE TALK The directors of National Automatic asked Beck by telephone to see them. During the telephone conversation accused made a threat. He called at the offices of the company on February 10. A steel cupboard had been installed in the office, and a girl typist sat inside for a long time taking a shorthand note of what took place. Ex-Detective Inspector Leech was posted on the leads, a piece of glass having been taken out of the window. Beck not only repeated his demands for money, but threatened that if a sum were not paid he would publish correspondence affecting the business relationships of National Automatic and Super Automatic. “I do not know whether he smelt a rat,” continued Mr. Levy, “but an adjournment was made to an hotel in High-street, Tooting. The interview continued there, and Mr. Dewar said he was surprised that Beck should descend so low as to resort to what I was nothing more or less than black-

mail. Beck replied that he was in the gutter, and had to live. He asked for £450 on certain conditions, one being that’ he woufld refrain from going to the ‘X.Y.Z.’ Company. On February 12 another interview took place, and again a girl typist was concealed in the steel cupboard. Beck S 7 was soins t 0 ask y°u for £5OO I tell you frankly I cannot settle debts for one penny piece less than I have asked. I do not care who is in the room. I will settle on those terms and nothing ‘ less.”. Miss Elsie Bolas, a typist employed ny -National Automatic Machines, and formerly employed by Super Automatic Machines, said that she took up a position in the steel cupboard. She heard the voice of Beck. A long conversation took place between Mr. Dewar and Beck, of which she took

a shorthand note. After some time she heard the two men go out ' for h n Did y ° U then come out al “ le i ai /> or were you unfortunately locked m?—Yes, for a little while until the key was found Mr Levy: They locked her in bv mistake. (Laughter). y Beck remanded on bail

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GEST19320412.2.76

Bibliographic details

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1932, Page 10

Word Count
621

GIRL IN CUPBOARD Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1932, Page 10

GIRL IN CUPBOARD Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1932, Page 10