THREAT ALLEGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 14

THREAT ALLEGED

COMPLAINT BY WIFE HUSBAND DENIES CHARGE An allegation that after being released from prison accused telephoned his wife and said he would shoot her, was made in the Police , Court yesterday when Kenneth Holman James, aged 37, salesman, appeared before Mr. F. X. Hunt, S.M.; on a charge of threatening to commit trespass during the currency of a separation order. Accused, who was represented by Mr. Aekins, pleaded not guilty, Sub-Inspector Fox said this was the third tim 6 accused had appeared in Court in connection with the separa-, tion order. On the first occasion the case had been adjourned sine die and last week he had been sentenced to a week's imprisonment. It was alleged that when ho was released on Tuesday he rang up his wife at her place of business and said he was going to Christchurch, but before going ho would shoot her. She went to a solicitor and to the police and a warrant for the arrest of accused was issued by. Mr. "VV. R. McKean, S.M. Accused's wife. Norma Agnes James, gave corroborative" evidence. She received the message at the radio shop where she was employed at about 12.50 p.m. and recognised her husband's voice.

A denial of having spoken to his wife on the telephone was made by accused, who said he had collected & cheque for his fare to Christchurch from Mr. Aekins' office, and was asking the advice of a police sergeant when the call was supposed to have been made; He was at home waiting for a taxi to take his luggage to the station when he was arrested.

The magistrate said it was one person's word against another's. He was worried by the talk of threats. He knew what was the nature of a jealous man, and thought it would be best if accused remained in custody until jusfr before the departure of the three o'clock train for the South. He would remand the case until the following day and see whether accused had left for Christchurch.