MONEY HANDED OVER

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 7, 30 July 1930, Page 8

MONEY HANDED OVER

EXTORTION MADE BY THREATS. JURY BINDS MAN GUILTY. AUCKLAND, July 29. 6lienees alleged to have been committed over two years ago, formed the basis of a series of charges relating to the extortion of money by threats, which wore made against Gordon McKenna, alias George McA\ illiams, in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Smith. Three charges related to the same set of circumstances. On April 13, 1928, McKenna was alleged to have, with menaces, demanded £(U) from Hugu Gilmer with intent to stoai; to have stolen £4O from Gilmer; and to have assaulted Gilmer. The fourth charge was that on April 28. 1928 t with menaces he demanded from Gilmer Ail with intent to steal. CounsL'l for the Crown said that evidence .would be given that as a resub of the threats, Gilmer parted with £4O, which was all he had in the house at the time. On a later date accused returned with another man to demon I another £2O, making the £OO which he had originally demanded. The circumstances were unusual and the jury might conclude that Gilmer had been rather weak iu being frightened by accused and paying over the money. Although a warrant had been issued just after the events alleged, no trace had bleu found of accused until he was recognised in Queen Street and arrested on May .17 last. .Ajfter a retirement of an hour, the jury returned with a verdict of guilty on all counts, adding a rider that indiscretion on the part of Gilmer had been a contributing factor.

His 'Honour said their recommendatioh would certainly be taken into ac count when sentence was being passed. McKenna was remanded until the close of the criminal session.