OLD BAILEY SECRET TRIAL

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1927, Page 10

OLD BAILEY SECRET TRIAL

LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION. PLANS OF BRITISH SUBMARINES. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 30. Lieut.-Commander Mayer was tried in camera at the Old Bailey. The prosecution withdrew the more serious charges and Mayers pleaded guilty to offences under the Official Secrets Act. The Lord Chief Justice said he was satisfied that Mayers, in detaining the plans, had no purpose prejudicial to the safety of the State. His object was apparently to improve submarines for the Goveniment. Mayers was bound over to come up lor judgment if called upon. Lieutenant-Commander Mayers, recently the holder of an important post in the submarine service at Portsmouth, was charged at Bow Street Police Court, in March, at the instance of the Admiralty under the Official Secrets Act. Mayers resigned to take up an appointment in the submarine department of Messrs. Vickers, Ltd. The prosecution said that Mayers was charged with the possession of plans relating to submarines. The case was extremely serious. The detective addressed the Magistrate in whispers. The spectators were unable to gather the nature of the charge.