CHARGES OF BLACKMAIL

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1934, Page 7

CHARGES OF BLACKMAIL

ALLEGATIONS OF MENACE SALESMAN BEFORE MAGISTRATE. AUCKLAND RESIDENT CONCERNED. MANY OFFENCES COMPLAINED OF. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Ten charges of demanding money by menaces from a well-known resident of Auckland, whose name was suppressed, and three charges of accusing the resident, of a certain crime with intent to extort money were preferred against Alfred McDowell, a salesman aged 26 (represented by Mr. Sullivan), who appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S-M-, in the Police Court. The sum involved in the charges was £407. . Evidence was given by the alleged victim that he owned a country property and that about 1927 he engaged McDowell to assist on this land. In September, 1932, McDowell said he was suffering from some trouble and in asking for financial assistance to obtain medical advice he said his people, who lived at Ballymena, Ireland, were worth about £BOOO. „ t The witness lent McDowell the first sum of £2O, and lent further sums on the understanding that they would be repaid early in 1933. The witness had a doubt about McDowell’s bona fides regarding the money lent, and McDowell said the money had reached Australia, where he wished to go to collect it. About this time, the witness added, McDowell made certain allegations against him. Under these threats the witness lent more money on the understanding it was to be repaid in °: the present year. The witness handed to his solicitor correspondence from McDowell. The threats had continued and there had been messages by letter, telegram and telephone, apart from some sent by a taxi-driver. _ „ McDowell had given an 1.0. U. for £3OO, the witness proceeded, but the money advanced to McDowell would be between £llOO and £l2OO. There was nothing in the threat made against him, the witness said, but he thought the publicity would be bad and he wished to avoid it. McDowell had stated his word was as good as that of the witness. RECORD OF LOANS KEPT. The witness said he had kept a record, and he had lent or paid £ll5O to McDowell. When cross-exxamined the witness said he had arranged for his letters to be addressed as “Carter” after the threats were made, as- he wanted to keep his name out of it. A ticket he had purchased for McDowell to Sydney was a single one. He did not fe in * McDowell and he were “quite friendly when he asked accused to sign an acknowledgement for £3OO. Detective Sergeant McHugh, who arrested McDowell, said that upon the receipt of letters addressed to the Central Police Station, Auckland, he interviewed the complainant. In consequence of what he was told he saw McDowell at Sandringham. Shown a letter to the complainant, McDowell admitted writing the communication. Asked why he had done so he said: “I don’t know. He is owing me some money.” At the detective o - flee McDowell was shown other letters and telegrams which he admitted sending. He said he was not responsible for sending the letters to the police. McDowell had made a statement, the detective-sergeant continued, in which he said he was a married man with a child. He had Keen injured and the complainant had agreed to pay his -bills on the condition that McDowell, gave it in writing that complainant was not responsible for his injury. McDowell had received about £7OO in loans, promising that his mother in Ireland would repay them. A taxi-driver had taxed McDowell With blackmailing the complainant about 12 months ago. McDowell pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail in two sureties of £250 each was allowed.