Nuffield Kidnapping Case

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1938, Page 7

Nuffield Kidnapping Case

(Received 3 p.m.) LONDON, July 19. The trial opened at Birmingham Assizes to-day of John Bruce Thornton, who is charged with carrying firearms with intent to endanger life, with inciting Arthur Geoffrey Ramsden to assault and falsely imprison Viscount Nuffield, and the inciting of Ramsden to compel Lord Nuffield to execute a letter of credit by restraining his person with intend to defraud. Accused pleaded not guilty. The prosecution reiterated the general facts of the case as reported in detail in the lower court. Ramsden, in giving evidence, said that he did his utmost to put Thornton off the plan. The case was adjourned. On the resumption of the trial, Ramsden admitted, regarding, his evidence of his conversation with the accused when planning the kidnapping, that it was his word against Thornton’s. Counsel for the defence said that he was asking questions because that was the story Thornton would tell in the witness-box. ifjpHE national executive of the LabourParty has endorsed Mr John W. Ne*ate as the party’s candidate for the Waikato seat at the general election.