THREAT TO KILL ALLEGED

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1927, Page 11

THREAT TO KILL ALLEGED

LETTERS FROM MAN TO GIRL BUTCHER’:? KXIIFL REKERII ED TO. INGLEWOOD PEOPLE CONCERNED. "It might look as if I were a murderer ’because of the production of this carving knife in court. I used to sit down after tea to write my letter to Mavis and one night when I was looking for something to say my eyes fell on the knife and I wrote about it.”

Stanley Reid Amies Wood gave this explanation in New Plymouth yesterday when brought before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., on eight charges of sending threats to kill in letters addressed to Mavis Lilian Mackinder, aged 20. Both of them live in Inglewood and Wood’s house overlooks the backyard of the Mackinder’s residence. According to the evidence the culmination of ttvo years’ unwelcome attention, including the sending of expensive gifts, was reached when the police were handed letters from the man, the dates of which were said to be on or about May 9, 16, *2B, 31, June 30, July 30, August 15 and 22. The magistrate entered a plea of not guilty for Wood and committed him for trial at Die- next session of the Supreme Court in New Plymouth in November. ■ Wood, who was in receipt of a pension, is tall and clean-shaven, and his hair is grey. He wore an old grey tweed sports coat and riding breeches without the gaiters. A towel took the place of a collar. He sat down in the dock and throughout most of the hearing rested his arms on the front panel, while he listened to the evidence.

He was not represented by counsel, though Detective Meiklejohn explained that he had been given the opportunity of engaging one. Mavis Mackinder said she lived with her father and brother in Miro Street, Inglewood. She had known Wood by sight for about four years, but she had only spoken to him twice. About nine months after he came to Inglewood four years ago, he went to live in Hinan Street. HIS FIRST ADVANCES. About two years ago he met her at the front gate as she was going to work. He offered her a bundle of papers, which she refused. "You don’t want them,” he said and walked away. Just before last Christinas her sister and she went over to his house. They had received things from him. Wood came to the door and witness’ sister asked him if he thought it right to send the things. He said nothing when asked if he was going to stop it. Then he said: “Well, you're my neighbour. I should treat you well.” He did not seem to take the matter very seriously. He first began to leave things at her place before he wanted to give her the parcel of books. She first discovered a book in the letter-box in the morning. ‘’Mavis” was the address on it in Wood’s writing. Other books came by post and papers were often left in the letter-box addressed to her. About two years ago he left a woollen sports coat while she was out. By the writing of the address she judged it was from Wood. GRAMOPHONE AND MACHINE. Later various articles of clothing and cooking utensils, including aluminiumware, were left. He sent a gramophone and a sewing machine. The latter was left on the concrete path inside the gate. Up till two weeks ago he continued to leave cooking utensils. Both her brother and father asked him to take back the gramophone and machine, but' he had not done so. Wood lived at the back of their place and had an uninterrupted view of the back door. Wood (from the dock): Could I make a remark? The. magistrate:. You will have an opportunity later on. Wood: It is only a temporary remark. The typewriter makes such a noise that it is difficult to hear the evidence. The magistrate (to witness): Speak up please. Wood (hastily): No! No! She is going on well. Might I sit in one of these chairs (indicating the seats for counsel). The magistrate said he was all right where he was, and the clerk of the court said the evidence would be read over to him later. GIFTS OF MONEY REFUSED. In January last year she left work and Wood wrote offering to lend her money so that she could remain at home and look after the house for her father and brother. He sent over £26. Later he sent a similar amount and then still another £26.. This would be about June. The money was still at home. Her father asked Wood to take it back. Several months ago his letters became endearing and continually referred to her as “My sweetheart.” The last letter was on August 22, and contained passages indicating his intention to murder her, and referred to a knife 8 13-16 in long. Altogether there were eight letters since May. All of them contained threats to murder in different forms. They were put under the hedge in front of the house or in the post-box. They were rolled up with papers and books. Some of them were concluded with the initials “5.R.A.W.,” while others bore Wood’s full name; all were in his handwriting. The detective: You have seen these eight letters, Wood? Wood: Yes, I sent them all. I don’t dispute them. Once, continued witness, she wrote to Wood asking him not to leave anything more at her place and not to come on to the property. She had never seen him in their place. It would be usual for someone to be about during the day. Often things were left on the verandah, always addressed in the same writing. She had given Wood no reason to leave the articles and had never given him any encouragement by recognition or any other way. FRIGHTENED OF WOOD. All the articles were still at her home. Complaints had been made to the police after the last letter.. She had become very frightened of Wood, because he might carry out his threats. The clerk of the court: Any questions? Wood: No; no questions. John William Mackinder, father of Miss Mackinder, said he was a labourer. Hie wife had been dead ten months; About two years ago he and his son went to Wood's place lu return a par-

cel. He told Wood he did not wish him to leave such articles as the parcel contained, and that he had no claim to send them.

“She is only a little girl and there is no harm in me giving her presents,” said Wood. Witness took the first gift of £26 back on the first opportunity. Wood leaned against the wall with folded arms and would not speak. He refused to take the money. Then he admitted he had left it and w]jat he had left it for. Early the next week the money was sent to Wood by post, but it was returned again by way of the letter-box. In this manner he sent three sums of £26. He had never seen Wood deposit the gifts about the place, and he concluded they were left between three and four o’clock in the morning. Witness considered the matter was praying on Wood’s mind, and he would have carried out his threat if the police had not been informed. Detective Meiklejohn said that on August 23 he and Constable Longbottom went to Wood’s house. He was told of the complaints. He said he had only sent the letters in fun and that he had been very good to the child, and had sent her money and presents. ARREST OF WOOD. He admitted . sending the letters containing the threats. He had received no reply and had never had any encouragement. He said the father and son had interviewed him,‘asking him not to send any more things. The same plea had been made in a letter written by her mother shortly before her death, and by the girl and her sister personally. The detective produced a butcher’s knife which Constable Longbottom had found on the kitchen table after being led there by Wood. The blade measured 8 13-16 in. Wood was arrested and brought to New Plymouth. On the way in by the car he kept asking what-he had better do about the matter. "You had better engage a solicitor,” said the detective. “No, I will do without one,” he replied. When seen at the gaol on August 29 he admitted writing the letters, and initialled the top of each one in the presence of the detective. He said he was preparing a statement for the court which he would hand over the following day. He gave this to the detective on Tuesday. He said he wanted a typewritten copy, but the detective found he had not the time to type it. The statement covered five closelywritten foolscap pages, and Wood , had asked that it should be read in court. The statement was then handed to the magistrate, who said he would read it. “NOTHING AGAINST ANYONE.” Constable Longbottom said the eight letters were handed to him on August 22. He had known Wood four years. He was a bachelor who received a pension, but he earned no money otherwise. The constable had had two complaints about Wood previously. “Do you wish to say anything, having heard the evidence ?” asked the clerk. "Well, I prepared my defence, which is now with His Worship,” replied Wood, the reference being to the statement he had given the detective and ■which had been handed to Mr. Tate. “I have one more remark to add,” said Wood. “I have listened to all the evidence and I have nothing to say against anyone of any sort or kind. Onlyone thing I should like to add to the statement.” He then made the explanation already mentioned. The magistrate said this was already referred to in the statement. "Can’t you reduce the charge so that you can deal with it?” asked Wood, after it had been explained that only a ■Supreme Court judge could pass sentence. Mr. Tate replied in the negative, and then decided to enter a plea of not guilty. Wood persisted in a request that sentence should be passed on him right away, and said it seemed a shame he could not go to gaol now to serve part of the sentence. The magistrate: I have no doubt you will be comfortable there. Mr. Dineen will look after you.