LORD TRENCHARD APOLOGISES

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1935, Page 4

LORD TRENCHARD APOLOGISES

WRONGFUL ARREST OF VISITOR. LONDON, October 23. Lord Trenchard, Chief Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, has apologised to Mr John Gibbs, of Wes ton-11 oiler-Weather ley. near Leam- ( ington Spa, who was wrongfully arrested on his first visit to London and subsequently discharged by the magistrate. Mr Gibbs visited his uncle in London on September 25, and, having some time to spare at Baker Street Station before catching the train homo at night, he went for a walk. In the course of this he looked at several motor-cars, an innocent action which attracted the attention of the police, who arrested him. Mr Gibbs was confined for the night at Vine Street Police Station, and charged next day at Marlborough Street Police Court with loitering, j with intent. After hearing his ex-1 plauaHon ths magistrate acquitted! him, and suggested that he should not have been arrested.

Mr Gibbs's uncle took the matter up with the police, and' has received the following letter from Lord Trenchard:— “I should like to add to the official expression of regret that has been sent to you. my own personal apologies for this unfortunate incident. I can well believe that it must have caused Mr John Gibbs and his relations a good deal of distress and anxiety, and I am very sorry indeed I that this should have occurred. “I notice that the official letter to you did not refer to the question of the expenses involved in the defence and, although there is not any legal

i liability, it seems to me to be only | right that these expenses should not hall on Mr Gibbs or his father. I therefore enclose a cheque, for seven guineas, which I gather is the sum involved. “I am inquiring further into the various points you raise.in your letter. and I hope you will accept my, assurance that all the circumstances of the case are being carefully investigated and will be suitably dealt with." Lord Trenchard's letter adds: “I very much hope that Mr John Gibbs will ilot suffer any lasting damage from this unhappy incident.”