THREAT IN LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21175, 6 May 1932, Page 12

THREAT IN LETTER.

"WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING." ! AUTH ORSH IP ADMITTED. STATEMENT SIGNED "THE GANG" WRITER FOUND GUILTY. On a charge of sending a letter to Thomas Moodie Sharp, of Hembrson, in January j last, containing threats to Jestrov buildings owned by Sharp, Albert Victor Denny, labourer, was tried before Mr. Justice llerdman in the Supreme Court yesterday

The Crown Prosecutor said the facts of the case were exceedingly simple, and should not give tho jury any difficulty. The letter threatening to destroy everything oil tho farm was admittedly sent by Denny, and it was difficult to see whaV defence could be offered. On December .23 last a kiosk and its contents on the property of Sharp were burned to tho ground. Sharp received an anonymous Iprinted letter a few days later saying that a man at his house was going with his daughter, and then there came a letter Baying: "If the Chilean is not sent off the farm on or before January 28, 1932, \vo will destroy everything on tho farm. After tho 29th, if wo hear he has not cone for good, wo will get to work. Yours, tho Gang." When interviewed by a detective Denny denied having sent the letters, but when be did some printing for the detective it became apparent that bo was the writer. Remarkable mis spellings in tho letter wtjro repeated by tho accused, and lie eventually admitted having written the Iclftcr. Kiosk Burned Down. Thomas Moddio Sharp, baker, residing •t! Sharp's Bush, Henderson Valley, said ho' had had a kiosk in the middle of tho bush on his property. Tho kiosk and an iron shed adjoining were burned on the night of December 23. There was no insurance. The fire was made by an experienced bushman and controlled, otherwise tho whole of the Waitakeres would have been alight. Denny had worked for him before. Jn cross-examination witness said there been trouble between him and Denny before, but he had not accused Denny of firing a gun. A shot was fired at 10 o'clock at night, and went within a foot ofj hitting a boy. Tho Chilean boy had been on his place for about three months. came from one of the Chilean warand spoke a smattering of English. •An interview with the accused on February 10 was described by Detective T. Sneddon, who said Denny denied sotting fine to tho kiosk, and at first denied writing tho threatening letter. Afterwards he made a statement admitting having written the threatening letter and having sent it. The matter of tho fire had not been cleared up yet. •Giving evidenco on his own behalf tho aocused said his house was about 28 chains from Sharp's kiosk. Before he sent tho letter complained of ho had received a letter which he took to the police asking them to find out if the Sharps had scnt-it. The police did not find out. "Infamous Conduct." Accused said he wroto the letter "to get a bite" and see if he could find out who wrote tho letter to him. lie thought Sharp's daughter was responsible. In cross-examination accused, who said he was 55 years of age, admitted ho had improperly interfered with Sharp's daughter, who was 15 years of age. He wroto her "sweet-hearting" letters purporting to como from his son. He denied that lis was jealous of the Chilean boy on Sharp's faiin. "Is that your -excuso for such infamous conduct ?" asked His Honor, when the recused blamed tho girl for his misbehaviour with her. His Honor said the case was remarkable in that the accused, although pleading not guilty, admitted that he was the author of tho threatening letter, and had sent it. Would tliey pay any heed to the plea of a man who had admitted such infamous conduct? Accused was found guilty after a brief retirement of tho jury, and was remanded for sentence.