SERIOUS CHARGES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19673, 15 December 1933, Page 13

SERIOUS CHARGES

SOLICITOR’S AGENT BEFORE COURT. By Telegraph —Preas As*«kmuon CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14. John Black Batchelor (32), solicitor's agent, remanded from December 5. to-day faced several charges at the Magistrate's Court, alleging perjury in the Supreme Court, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and fabricating evidence. A new charge was preferred since the last sitting alleged that the accused. on November 30. attempted to dissuade James Henry Duncan Campbf’.l, by a bribe, or other corrupt means, from giving evidence in a case against the accused. The case was the sequel to Supreme Court proceedings hi • ' on August 21. in which Cyril Dixon petitioned for the dissolution of his marriage with Isobel Dixon, when accused gnvo evidence.

James Henry Duncan Campbell, a labourer, said he knew the nccused, and had sometimes done bailiff's work for him. On May 26 last. It was arranged that he should go out to Islington with a Mrs Dixon. Accused gave witness various directioi. concerning names, etc. Later Batchelor reiterated the arrangements Witness was to tell Mrs Dixon that he was a fellow-worker of her husband, and would take her out to Islington. He was to stop the mr on the Journey, > that accused could come on the scene, and challenge the woman Witness proceeded to describe how the ; rangementx were carried out, and how the accused did appear whgn the car stopped at Sockburn. Campbell denied that there had been any misconduct, and said he had been paid 30/- for the part he played in making the car trip to Islington. Evidence was also jlven by Court officials concerning accused's statements in the Suprem Court. After hearing other evidence Batchelor pleaded not guilty to all .he charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on all except one. that of attempting to dissuade a witness from giving evidence The magistrate held, that in respect of this charge the evidence was scarcely strong enough to warrant him in sending accused for trial. Accused was allowed bail, self in £SOO and one surety of £SOO.