NIGHT CLUB CASE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 23 January 1929, Page 3

NIGHT CLUB CASE.

THE BRIBERY CHARGES. Per Kress Association —Copyright) LONDON, January 21. The trial has begun of former Police Sergeant Goddard, of Luigi Ribuffi and of .Mrs Meyrick, on the bribery charge. All pleaded not guilty. Counsel lor the prosecution, in a lengthy review, said Goddard had been 26 years in the force. His pay was £6 weekly. When requested to account for the possession of money, a freehold house and saloon motor car, he replied that he had saved a few hundreds as well as taking advantage of reliable information on racehorses, and the foreign exchange. The police traced money to various banks in Goddard’s name, as well as large denomination bank notes in two safe deposits, the whole amounting to £17,964. Many of the notes were traced as having' been paid to Goddard from people in positions with Mrs Meyrick and Ribuffi, the keeper of a Soho disorderly house, who had since disappeared from the country. Referring to Mrs Meyrick, he said an anonymous letter addressed to Scotland Yard asked why the “notorious Meyrick is permitted to run three night clubs without police interference. These places are disgusting sinks of iniquity, where young men are filled with drink, robbed and petted by street women.” Goddard’s report thereon set out aproximately that 70 women resorted to the establishment nightly. Many were known to be undesirables, but he was satisfied the place was not used habitually as one of ill-fame. “Women attach themselves to males who buy chocolates at wholesale price, which is 2s to 3s, but which are retailed at from 25s to 30s at the Club.”

Goddard's report concluded. “These are insidious, lying, unfounded allegations, against the police.” The case was adjourned.