PECULIAR FEATURE IN AUCKLAND CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18785, 14 June 1929, Page 10

PECULIAR FEATURE IN AUCKLAND CASE.

YOUNG MAN FACES CHARGE “ AMOUNTING ALMOST TO BLACKMAIL.”

(Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, June 13.

A letter which was meant for a husband but was read by his wife brought trouble and worry to several people, but particularly to Claude Edgar Young aged twenty-six, a motor driver. When Young penned a letter to Samuel Arthur on June 5 little did he think, that the contents would be made public, or that it would result in his appearance at the Police Court this morning on a charge which Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., said amounted to blackmail.

Young was charged that with menaces he did demand £22 10s from Arthur, with intent to steal this sum.

Mr Singer represented Young. “This is a peculiar case,” said ChiefDetective Hammond. “Young once worked 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 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 downright 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 the chief detective, rather than sign his own name, employed a nom de plume, giving his address care of Parnell Post Office. The letter also contained the following postscript:—“You are a rotten devil to give my 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,” said the chief detective. “Young, still under another name, again wrote to Arthur. Mrs Arthur was a sensible woman to hand the letter over to her husband, and the matter was afterwards reported to us.” Chief-Detective Hammond said that Young was not strong. He suggested that the 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 that Young had been in desperate straits and had been out of work. It was only then that he devised this scheme. Mr Hunt, S.M.: This is blackmail, you know, Mr Singer. “Hardly, sir," replied counsel. “Anyway, as your Worship can see. Young is not a desperado by any means.” (Laughter.) Mr Hunt decided to remand Young for sentence until to-morrow, so that a report might be obtained from the probation officer.