COSTLY SMUGGLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

COSTLY SMUGGLING.

OVER A TON OF TOBACCO.

FINES AMOUNT TO £3600.

DRAMATIC STORY IN COURT. Fines amounting to £3600 were imposed at Marylebone, London, recently on three men who were convicted of tobacco smuggling after a dramatic story had been" told of an attempt to ship over a ton of tobacco from Antwerp in a fast motor-launch.

Lionel Victor Earle, aged 22, merchant seaman, Albert Charles Earle, aged 24, his brother, and John Isaac Schulman, aged 39. were charged with removing 23971b. of uncustomed tobacco. The two Earles were also charged with unshipping the tobacco in the Isle of Wight, and it was also alleged against Lionel Eaile that as master of a motor-launch known as tho Cut he failed to report its arrival; that he falsely declared that the Cat had sailed from Hastings instead of Antwerp; and that he falsely declared ho had no cargo on boardTho prosecution alleged that Lionel Earle chartered the Cat and picked up a cargo of tobacco at Antwerp. The Cat ran aground on the Isle of Wight and the tobacco was transferred to a lorry, ferried to Lvmington, and driven to London, where it was seized by the police. Counsel for the Earles explained that their defence was based on tho fact that they were mado use of by ti man named Franklin or Lesser.

" Tint tale told by the prosecution ix dramatic and sensational," continued counsel. " Lionel Earle was formerly the fourth mate of the Highland Hope, the vessel which sank off Portugal. He has been iri prison, and on January 14, when he came out, he received a legacy of £2OO. He was a young man with £2OO in his pocket and a love for the sea and adventure. He decided to charter a yacht with the idea of taking people for private trips and so making money. Lesser, who had money and was able to teLl the tale, asked him to take him on a voyage to Antwerp for £50." Counsel contended that Lesser took the tobacco on board at Antwerp in a number of casks, which Lesser told the Earles contained his private property. Detective-Inspector Allen stated that the two Earles were convicted in October, 1930, for robbery with violence at Barking railway station, and, with another man, getting-away with £IOO. The magistrate fined Lionel Victor Earle £I2OO, or six months' imprisonment, on the main charge against him. He also ordered him to pay £IOO, with the alternative of three months' imprisonment, for failing to make a due report of the launch, and sentenced him to nine months' imprisonment in the second division on each of two charges of making a false

declaration, the sentences to run concurrently. Albert Charles Earle and Schulman were each fined £I2OO, or six months' imprisonment. The magistrate remarked thai they were liable to fines amounting to £24,342.

Notice of appeal was given on behalf of Schulman, who was released on bail in one surety of £IOOO and two of £SOO.