THE "FALSE NEWS" PHOSECUTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3737, 23 September 1886, Page 3

THE "FALSE NEWS" PHOSECUTION.

■ ■♦ Charles William Oldlutm surrendered to take his trial at the Old Bailey on July 3rd, for obtaining several sums of money from The Times by fraud and false pretences ; and also with attempting to obtain other Bums by tho sumo means. The allegation against tho prisoner was that ho had supplied certain reports of meetings and other matters m the nauiej of Ilill, Darroll, and Lynch to The Times, for which reports thero was no foundation, aud which were, m fact, entire fictions. For some of these reports payment was made, but with regard to others it appeared that the intended fraud was discovered, and when application was mado for payment by some person who was alleged to have been sent by the prisoner it was refused, and subsequently inquiries were made which led to the apprehension and committal of tho prisoner. The particular cases relied upon were that m February tlio prisoner had Biipplied a report of a meeting of unemployed on Hackney Downs, at which r; solutions were passed calling upon tho Government to tako measures to furnish labour to those who were out of work. The report was Bent m tho name of C. Ilill, and iimilar reports were sent m, m tho namas of Darrell and Lynch, tho wholo of which wore alleged to be falso and fictitious. Tho prisoner never seemed to have personally appeared m any of the transactions, but on tho part of tho proßeoution evidenco was given that all tho reports referred to wero m tho samo hand- . writing. A number of witnesses were examined for the prosecution, and on behalf of tho prisoner, counsel endeavoured to show that ho had obtained tho information from . other parties, and that ho hud no intention to defraud. The jury, after a Tery short deliberation, found tho prisoner guilty, but recommended him to mercy on account of his youth. Tho Common Sorgeant sentenced him , to six inontha' imprisonment with hard labor. Charles Fowler, forty, was also indicted for attempting to obtain money from tho Press . Association by fraud and false pretences. , I his case was Bimilnr to that of tho prisoner Oldham. Iho defenco was tbo sumo as m , that caao. 'Ihe jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty."