INCIDENT IN A PARK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 January 1926, Page 5

INCIDENT IN A PARK.

AN EX-POLICE OFFICIAL. MEETING WITH YOUNG WOMAN. LONDON, Jan. 5. When the hearing was resumed sic the Maryleboue Police Court to-day, or the case in which Sir Basil Ihoinson (who until recently was Assistant Commissioner of Police) was charged with committing an offence in Hyde t aik. Sir Henry Curtis-Bennett, K.C.. for the defence, argued that the police storv was untrue, as the magistrate s personal examination ot the oraiiiA last night must have shown that it would have been impossible tor the defendant and the woman, who alrcaav had been fined in connection with the affair, to have been seen as alleged. •pen days prior to the incident, said Sir Hen.rv, defendant had diseussec with an ex-inspector-general ot Indian police, the conduct of women in Hyde Park and West End streets, and had declared that he intended to deal with the matter in the press, and take Lie first opportunity of inspecting tile situntion in Hyde Purk sit lii’st lifliid. Mr Reginald McKenna gave evidence that, when Home Secretary m 191... before appointing defendant as Assistant Police Commissioner, lie proved him to be not only capable, but o.‘ the highest character, and absolutely reliable and trustworthy. Admiral Sir Reginald Hall stated that when lie .was Director of Intelligence at the. ActniiiiiHv, lie came closely in contact with defendant, and found that his word was always reliable. Defendant’s evidence was that he went alone to Hyde Park at 9.15 p.m., with a view to inspecting the solicitation. A young woman .asked if she could speak to him, and continued walking beside him. He thought it a good opportunity to ask her about the <eoi.de frequenting narks, as since nis retirement he had been writing hooks and articles, and had been intending to investigate the matter for some time. “We sat down on a .chair under a tiee,” said Sir Basil. “She told a tale of distress, and I gave her a few shillings.” They had been there only two minutes, continued defendant, when he heard running footsteps and two voices chanting in a monotone, “I charge you.” Then two constables appeared. Defendant told them it was a monstrous charge, and who he was. He denied that he intended to hrilie Constable Lowrie. 'Die magistrate said lie was com pc led to find defendant guilty. Almost as grave an issue as the indecency was the constable’s allegation that Ihoinson attempted to bribe him to neglect his duty. Sir Basil, who was fined L 5. is appealing.