PUNISHMENT TWICE FOR SAME OFFENCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3615, 16 September 1927, Page 7

PUNISHMENT TWICE FOR SAME OFFENCE

Contrary to British Law, Pleads Counsel WARRANTS WITHDRAWN IN MR “A” CASE [By Electric Cable-Copyright.] rAust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Thursday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14. The Public Prosecutor assenting, the Bow Street Magistrate sanctioned the withdrawal of- five warrants in connection with the Mr. “A ’ case against Captain Arthur ou charges of conspiracy and receiving stolen cheques to the amount of £150,000. Arthur’s counsel said that Arthur had already served a sentence in France, and so it was difficult to prosecute here in face of tho principle that a person could not twice be punished for the same offence. The reference is to the famous Mr. “ A ” case which, towards the end of 1924, provided one of the most sensa-. tional trials in recent years. Tha Mr. “ A ” in question, whoso name was not mentioned in tho initial proceedings in which the Midland Bank was involved with Sir Hari Singh, then nephew of the Maharajah of Kashmir, now reigning himself. During a visit to England in 1919-20 he fell, through tio treachery of his private secretary, Captain Arthur, into the clutches of a pair of scoundrels, William Cooper Hobbs, p shady solicitor, and Noel Montagu Newton, a man about town, who, through tho instrumentality of a Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, succeeded in compromising tho Indian visitor with the woman. Robinson threatened exposure, and Mr. “ A ” was advised by Ms unfaithful secretary to pay over the vast sum of £300,000 demanded as “ hush money.” Half of this sum was actually paid by cheque, and it was the cashing of this cheque, by Hcbbs, Arthur, and Newton, in such a way that the Robinsons were robbed of their share of the booty, that led to tho cass against the Midland Bank which formed the first disclosure. Robinson lost his case. Meanwhile, Arthur had fled to Paris and resisted extradition. Newton turned King’s Evidence, and secured the conviction of Hobbs, who was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Arthur was convicted by a French Court of 11 receiving,” and served a sentence. Newton went scot free.