A DIABOLICAL CRIME.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1425, 22 June 1899, Page 14

A DIABOLICAL CRIME.

Oliver Fletcher, 43, dealer, and John Cox, 44, dealer, were indicted for sending a letter to Mr James Edgell demanding money from him with menaces.—Mr Charles Mathews prosecuted; Mr Overend and Mr MacMahon defended. Mr Mathews said the prosecutor was a solicitor in practice at Kingston, a magistrate of the county of Middlesex, chairman of the Teddington District council, an clerk to the Kensington board of guardians. In December last he received at his office a letter signed "J. C.

Adams,” which contained a demand for money, with tho threat that unless it was sent, the writer would accuse him of infamous conduct. The prosecutor was much upset at the receipt of this letter, and he forwarded £lO in notes to an address in the Kent road. Further demands led him to communicate with the police, and Fletcher, on coming' by arrangement to his office -at Kingston, was arrested by detectives. Cox was captured subsequently. Since the arrest of the men further letters had been sent to the prosecutor, which clearly indicated that other persons were implicated. The letters and the telegrams were addressed from 7, Vining street, Atlantic road, Brixton, and 95, Stamford street. Detective Magner, who with Detectiveserjeant Easter, Teddington police, effected the arrest, said that on the evening of Saturday, February 18, lie went to Mr Edgell’s office at Kingston. The witness described the interview between Mr Edgell and Fletcher, who gave Hie name of Adams. Mr Edgell asked “Are .you the man who has been writing me tii.se menacing letters?” Fletcher replied, “Yep, I am sorry to say I am. I beg to be forgiven. I swear, by God, you shall never hear from me again.” Mr Edgell said, “I don't know you, Adams. What do you know about me ?” Fletcher said, “Nothing.” Mr Edgell said, “You have treated me very cruelly this last three months, and have almost broken my heart. Do you still insist on what you say?” Fletcher said ‘“No.” Mr Edgell then asked : “And do you still insist on getting this £lO by means of this cruel persecution?” Adams replied: “Dear Mr Edgell, you give me this £lO, and may I be paralysed if I trouble you again. I know in my heart that you have been the victim of a most cruel accusation, but I was driven to make it- through want.” Mr Edgell, after Fletcher had signed a retraction of his accusations, counted out ten sovereigns. Fletcher picked up the money and coolly lit a cigarette. Then he turned to leave,

thinking that his visit had concluded successfully, when the witness- and his brother officers sprang upon him. Fletcher exclaimed, “Get out of it-. What do you mean?” He became violent and attempted to escape, but was promptly knocked down and the money taken out of his hand. On the way to the station he said, “I was told that there was money to be got out of Mr Edgell. I only collected it for another man. He told me to sign anything I was asked to sign.” Detective-serjeant Easter said a warrant was out for the arrest of a third man, but at present it had not been executed. The prisoners gave evidence on oath denying the charge. The jury found the prisoners “Guilty,” and Warder Cook proved previous convictions against Fletcher. Mr Mathews said the prosecutor desired to express the opinion that Cox had been led away by Fletcher, and on this account he recommended him to mercy. Mr Justice Grantham said Fletcher stood convicted of one of the most diabolical crimes known to our law. He sentenced Fletcher to seven years’ penal servitude. As he was being removed, Fletcher shouted out, in an excited manner, pointing to the prosecutor, ‘I hope he's dead when I come out; he ought to be in my place. The curse of God Almighty be on his head.” Cox was sentenced t-c nine months’ hard labour.