THREATENING LETTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

THREATENING LETTERS.

MAN'S STRANGE BEHAVIOUR.

A remarkable story of a young man's infatuation to told at the Liverpool Police Court recently. Hie accused, Herbert Hinds, was charged with sending letters threatening to kill Esther Rowe.

The letters which accused was alleged to have sent to the voting woman were of an extraordinary character, and the following extracts were read to the court I don t know what things are coming to, neither do you know what I have in store for you, or what it all means, Esther.

" I intended that you should love me, I but even if you won't, I'll make certain that you have no one else. You see, Esther, I may not be able to get you in the way I wanted, but I'll get you in another way: " If you don't come, then God help you and yours, for I will get you, even if it cost* my life, as it probably will. , " The advinp I give you is to take proceedings against me. as it is the onlv satisfaction you will get. I know what it means' to me. but they cannot keep me in long, and they will have to let me out i some time. Then I will want satisfaction, Esther, and I will get it. I will stay at nothing now. My mind is made up, and I will get to work now, and God help you and thore belonging to you. for I will wipe you out, as sure as you will get this letter. I will make you have me whether you want to or not. " Everything seems to be changed now and I mean to get what I want, in spite of everything." The story told by the prosecution was that about eighteen months ago the accused was employed at the same shop as tho young woman, and for about three week l ! he was with her in the same room. She had not seen accused since, but shortly after he left the firm, another assistant told witness that she had seen Hinds, and lie remarked that he wanted to meet her (meaning witness). The ap-! pointment was not kept, and from that time until December witness did not hear anything of the accused. Then she received several letters and postcards from him, but she did not reply to them. She had never given him the slightest encouragement to write to her. Since receiving the letters and postcards she had been really afraid for her life; in fact, she was so afraid that she had not dared to leave the home unless she was accompanied by someone. When the accused was arrested it was stated that he said to a detective who told him of the charge: " I know ;it is all right. This was nicely done." Later accused said : " I am quite conscious of what I have done. What time will this mean for me?" Ho- added: " She had a right to give me an answer one way or the other, and I only did it to frighten her."

The accused, who had nothing to say, was committed to the assizes for trial.