WITNESS INTIMIDATED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 26 June 1931, Page 6

WITNESS INTIMIDATED

POLICE ALLEGATION

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, 25th June

Quite a sensation was caused at the Magistrate’s Court during the hearing of a ease against two women when SubInspector Ward, who was conducting the prosecution for the police, told the Magistrate, Mr E. Page, that a Witness who had given evidence, Mrs Corley, daughter of Mrs Burton, had after leaving the Court been molested by her father, who said she had no right to give evidence. He was also reported to have told her she would Buffer for it afterwards. It appeared that her father, who had been at the back of the Court, had been shaking his fist at her while she was in the witness box. That was perhaps the reason why she had been so reluctant to answer certain questions. Mr Meltzer, who appeared for Mrs Burton: I understand the father is not the present husband of the accused. They are divorced I believe. Sub-Inspector Ward to Mr Page: He is in the prisoner’s room now. Mr Page: Have him brought here. “I got a surprise to see her coming to Court to-day,” said the girl’s father, when he appeared before the Magistrate. “When she was walking along to get in tin) box I just put up my hand.”

Mr Page: If what the police say is correct you are guilty first of all of contempt of Court, for which you are liable, for imprisonment. If it is true you have threatened this girl in any way you are liable to be charged with an offence indictable under the Crimes Act for interfering with the conduct of a Court of Justice. I will instruct that if therei is any evidence of that interference or of the slightest repetition I will direct the police to prosecute von.

The father then attempted to make a further explanation, but the Magistrate quickly ordered him to stop.