CONSPIRACY CASE

Southland Times, Issue 22813, 12 February 1936, Page 7

CONSPIRACY CASE

ALLEGED ABSCONDING FROM BAIL. EVIDENCE OF ACCUSED’S WIFE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) Sydney, February 11. The hearing of charges against John Ellis Findlay, Ernest Pierce Coombe, Richard Tanser, and William Campbell was continued at the Central Police Court. Findlay, a former detective, aged 40, is charged with having conspired to pervert the course of justice by aiding a prisoner, William Campbell, to abscond from bail and escape to New Zealand. Mrs Madge Campbell, wife of one of the defendants, told of plans allegedly made to enable her husband, William Campbell, to abscond to New Zealand. On one occasion Findlay told her to go upstairs at the Hotel Australia, as Detective James might recognize her. He also advised her not to go to the boat as the water police might recognize her. Findlay assisted her to accompany her husband to New Zealand where the pair were later arrested; she was discharged on bond. On one occasion she paid £3O to Findlay, Asked if she had seen men with the Chargol mixture Mrs Campbell said: “I could not help seeing them; they were always messing about with it. Tanser never discussed anything else but Chargol. I got sick of the song. My husband had many aliases, and when he lived under another name I adopted it.” While Mrs Campbell was being cross-examined by her husband Findlay made a remark, whereupon Campbell appealed to the Bench to protect him, declaring that Findlay had called him a very offensive name. Findlay: I never used that word. Campbell is a liar if he says I did. The Crown Prosecutor’s assistant declared that he had heard it.

The Magistrate (Mr Shepherd) ordered that Findlay be charged with contempt of Court and that he be dealt with later.

Later Findlay was charged with contempt of Court. He pleaded guilty and was fined 20/-. Mrs Campbell had not concluded her evidence when the Court adjourned.