BORDERING ON BLACKMAIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18291, 14 June 1929, Page 4

BORDERING ON BLACKMAIL.

SCHEME TO EXTRACT MONEY. By Telegraph—Press Assocmtiou. AUCKLAND, June 13. A charge that with menaces he demanded £22 10s from Samuel Arthur on June sth, with intent to steal that sum, was preferred against Claud Edgar Young (26), In the Police Court to-day. Chief Detective Hammond said it was a peculiar case. Young once work d with Arthur, when, some years ago, they had been in the habit of taking girls out for motor-car drives. Subsequently accused left Arthur’s employ. He conceived the Idea of getting some easy money out of Arthur, and wrote J him the following letter:—" I have been to my lawyer about a separation order from my wife. I have ample proof that you have been taking her about with you while your own wife was absent. My word, that was down-right mean of you, Arthur. If I get £22 10s from you by Wednesday, to pay my solicitor’s costs I won’t go any further with the matter. You are getting off light.” Young, added Mr Hammond, rather than sign his own name employed a non de plume, giving as his address, care of Parnell Post Office. 'lhe letter also contained the following: "P.S. —“ You are a rotten devil to give ir.y wife drink.” , Mrs Arthur got possession of the letter, and wrote to the address given, asking for further particulars, and asking the writer to make an appointment with her. Young, still under another name, again wrote to Arthur. Mrs Arthur was sensible woman to hand the ietter over to her husband, and the natter was afterwards reported to the police. The Chief Detective sup-rested that iht charge might be reduced to one of attempted theft, and be dealt with by the Magistrate. Young had never been in any trouble previously. Mr Singer said Young had been In desperate straits, and had been out of work. It was only then that he devised this scheme. Arthur owed him some money, but of course that did not ps lliate the offence. The Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hindi ■This is blackmail you know.” “Hardly sir,” replied counsel. Anyway, as your Worship can see, Young is not a desperado by any means.” The Magistrate decided to remand Young for sentence until to-morrow, so that a report might be obtained from the Probation Officer.