AIR SMUGGLING
BAYONET AND WIFE
LONDON, January 5
Fines totalling £95 for smuggling on a journey from Paris by air were imposed on a baronet and his wife at Croydon. Sir Robert Abdy, aged 41, and Lady Dianna Abdy, 29, of Newton Ferrers, Callington, Cornwall, were summoned together for attempting to evade duties on a gold powder-box and a gold lipstick-holder, both studded with rubies. There was a similar summons against Sir Robert in respect of a gold ring mounted with precious stones; and against Lady Diana in respect of a pair of gold cufflinks, in one of which was set a watch.
All the summonses were admitted. Mr. B. M. Stephenson, prosecuting, said when Sir Robert and Lady Diana arrived at Croydon by air oh November 28, Lady Diana declared four hats, three dresses and a pair of shoes she was wearing.
During an examination of her toilet case an officer found an invoice. Lady Diana said it related to some gold cuff-links.
Asked why she did not declare them, she replied. "I know I should have to pay a lot. of duty on them.” To another officer she said. "I intended to smuggle them through if 1 could. 1 know it was wrong.”
She said the cufflinks were a Christmas present for her husband and asked that he should not be allowed to sec them. Their value was £22 and the duty payable was £7/2/-. Mr. Stephenson said Sir Robert, presented six pieces of baggage which were their joint property. He declared five, pairs of socks. Officers examined a hat box and found four jewel boxes. One contained a ring that was the subject matter of the charge against Sir Robert and two others were empty. Sir Robert told an officer that he bought the ring in Paris three months previously, when he carried it in his pocket and did not declare it.
'fhe two empty boxes were questioned and it was found that the original contents were the powder box, a gold watch set with rubies and a lipstick holder to match.
Those articles were being carried by Lady Diana in her handbag. Sir Robert, said he had given them to his wife in Paris as a present. They were asked why they did not declare them, and Sir Robert replied. "I am afraid it was with the intention to evade duty, especially with the ring which I brought, in before."
Another officer then saw Sir Robert, and his wife, and Sir Robert admitted that the articles were smuggled.-
Mr. St. John Hutchinson, K.C.. defending, said neither Sir Robert uor his wife intended to smuggle (he goods when they left Paris.
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Bibliographic details
Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1938, Page 11
Word Count
444AIR SMUGGLING Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1938, Page 11
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