VICTIM GIVES EVIDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 16 February 1935, Page 6

VICTIM GIVES EVIDENCE

BLACKMAIL CASE AT AUCKLAND SERIES OF LETTERS (Bv Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, 14th February. At the trial of Alfred McDowell, a salesman, who was found guilty in the Supreme Court of blackmail and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment (as reported in yesterday’s issue), the victim of the blackmail, in evidence, said iie had employed the accused on a farm property approximately seven or eight years ago. About the time the accused left that employment he asked witness for money to pay doctors who were treating him. The accused told witness he was to get money from his parents who lived in Ireland and who were worth about £BOOO. Witness lent him £lO or £ls in the first place. Later he advanced further sums on the understanding that hewas to be repaid, and also bought the accused a ticket to go to Australia for the purpose of collecting money which had been sent him there. “A threat was made that he would accuse me of committing a crime. At that time the accused was owing me about £500,” witness continued. "I merely said to him when he made the accusation that it was absolutely false. I was naturally afraid of the publicity that it would involve, and as I thought the money was coming to repay me I lent him more money.” No more money was given the accused after about July, 1934. A series of letters which he had received in August last year were then read by witness. There were siurgcstions in these letters that unless witness sent the accused money, either for himself or to pay his debts, then both of them might find themselves in prison, the accused for debt and witness for an unnatural offence. Witness said he had paid about £BOO between September, 1933, and August, 1934. He had obtained an T.O.U. from (he accused for £3OO which had been lout until September, 1933. He had given the accused more money to keep iiim afloat. I No evidence was called by the dc-1 fence.