ANOTHER MAN’S PAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 688, 13 June 1929, Page 1

ANOTHER MAN’S PAST

Disturbing Letters to Baker

COURT SEQUEL TO RUSE

AN endeavour to utilise his knowledge of another maii’r past, and to induce him to part with sums of money b\ writing to him under a false name, resulted in the appearance of Claude Edgar Young in the Police Court this morning.

Young, a motor-driver, aged 26, was originally charged with demanding with menaces £22 10s from his former employer with intent to steal. In accordance with a suggestion made by Chief-Detec-tive Hammond the charge was reduced to attempted theft. ACCORDING to the chief-detective, Young had been working for a baker, who was in a small way. He and his employer had been in the habit of taking girls out in a motorcar. Young, who was a married man, had left the baker’s employ and had hit on the scheme of getting money out of the man by using his knowledge. The chief-detective produced two letters written by accused to the baker, but signed with a noni-de-plume. In the first letter the writer reproached the man for taking out his wife and giving her drink. “My word that was downright mean of you,” the letter stated. “I have ample proof that you were taking my wife out in your car while your own wife was absent.” The letter stated that the writer intended to go further with the affair, though he was prepared to drop it should his “solicitor's expenses,” £22 10s, be forwarded to him care of the Parnell Post Office.

That letter had fallen into the bands of the baker’s wife, continued the chief-detective. She had replied to it, and Young: had again written to the husband enclosing the wife’s letter and repeating his demand for £22 10s. In that letter, the writer had claimed that he had got to hear of the baker’s alleged adventures through his wife’s friend, who had quarrelled with her. and brought the story to the writer. One sentence in the letter ran: “I understand that a fellow named Young was with you too.” The address on the second occasion was given as the Newmarket Post Office. The chief-detective understood that Young was in bad health and out of work. His wife was working to keep him. Mr. Singer, for Young, explained that the man was desperate to get money. The baker had owed him some, although that could not be expected to palliate the offence that was being dealt with. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: This is blackmail; breaking up a home you know. Counsel pointed out that Young hardly looked like a desperado. The magistrate assured counsel that he would give the case serious consideration, and Young was remanded for sentence until tomorrow.