UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 31 January 1936, Page 2

UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT

CHARGE AGAINST POLICE INSPECTOR ALLEGED INTERFERENCE WITH WITNESSES ' (By Telegraph—Press Association! GISBORNE, This Day. There was an unexpected development in the Police Court to-day when the case was called in which Inspector of Police Henry Martin was proceeded against under a private information charging him with obscene exposure on Kaikanae beach. Counsel for the informant, Mr L. T. Burnard, alleged that since the case was first called there had been interference on the part of the police department with witnesses for the prosecution. Of seven witnesses four had actually been approached by Inspector Lopdell who was relieving Martin who was on leave. “My client feels,” added counsel, “that his case has taken a turn which compels her withdrawal, I’ve never in my experience known a case where the other side’s witnesses have been approached either by counsel or the police. Here four vital witnesses have been seen and their full story obtained.' They have been shaken and intimated that all this had been done under deliberate instructions from the Department which apparently sent Martin’s friend Inspector Lopdell here for that very purpose. I submit that the case has gone beyond the stage when it can be handled by a private citizen and I ask leave to withdraw.”

Mr J. S. Wauchop for Martin said that nothing in the whole case was more extraordinary than the procedure of the informant. The allegations so far as he understood them were that Martin after bathing at 6.30 o’clock in the morning had covered himself with a dressring gown and removed his bathing costume. It was alleged that either by accident or design the gown came opened and Martin exposed himself. On this evidence, Mr Wauchop submitted, no solicitor in town would have taken the responsibility.jof. laying an information. “At the time the information was laid,” Mr Wauchop added, “two constables were subject to a very serious charge which was adjourned pending the hearing of this case. It is an astonishing fact that all the witnesses, so far as I can learn, were seen by one or other of these two constables.” Counsel added that inquiries made from officials of the Beach Society disclosed no complaints against Martin’s conduct, the caretaker describing the charge ns “only a laughing matter.” The Magistrate, Mr E. L. Walton, adjourned the case until 10th February, stating that meantime he would communicate with the Justice Department.