Bail Refused Showman Charged With Murder Attempt

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1940, Page 3

Bail Refused Showman Charged With Murder Attempt

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] HAMILTON, This Day. Arrested late yesterday afternoon, Christopher Howe cribed as a bookmaker and showman, of Hamilton, appeared in the Hamilton Police Court this morning on a charge of having attempted to murder Harold Thomas Newton, a showman, in Victoria Street on the night of May 25. On the application of Detective-Ser-geant J. Thompson, Nicholson was remanded until June 6. Plea for Bail Mr Johnson, in asking for bail, said he realised the seriousness of the charge, but he was sure) that when the full investigations were complete the evidence would not warrant a conviction on the major charge now preferred. There was no fear of Nicholson running away, or any recurrence of the trouble, and he suggested a term of bail be that Nicholson should report to the police daily. Detective-Sergeant Thompson, in opposing bail, said investigations were not yet complete, but he did not think it wise to permit bail. Police Allegation He alleged that at 9.50 on Saturday night, Nicholson alighted from a car with a double-barrelled shotgun, walked up to Newton, who was in the main street, and deliberately shot at him. Fortunately, he said, the man was not seriously injured. It was a serious offence, but the question of whether the present charge or a lesser one would be finally presented had not yet been decided. The presiding J.Ps. said they agreed that bail should not be allowed.