STOKER’S DEFENCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21979, 25 March 1946, Page 3

STOKER’S DEFENCE

CHARGE OF TREASON “MISLED THE GERMANS” (9 a.m.) LONDON, March 24. Henry Herbert Rose, a stoker of the Royal Navy, who is charged with working for the Germans, in defence claimed that the statement obtained from him by the War Office officials was not voluntary. Now, in his own words and obtained by cross-examination, lie claimed that he was continually pressed for answers. The court, after an adjournment, decided that the statement was inadmissable as evidence. Mr. Derek Curtis Bennett, for Rose, said the case against Rose was based on the uncorroborated evidence of three traitors and a Hun. on whose evidence no one would hang a dog. The prosecutor, in his final address, said Rose claimed to- have acted under duress, but duress was not a defence for crime. He suggested that there was ample evidence of .traitorous intent.

The court found that there was a case for Rose to answer. Mr. Curtis Bennett said Rose denied disloyalty to the King. He would tell the court that any information he gave the Germans was either false or already known by the Germans. Rose, in evidence, denied giving information about naval and harbour installations, radar equipment or corresponding with Gsermans, but he said he had told the Germans a false story about an enormous gun capable of firing across the Channel.