CRIMINAL LIBEL

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14774, 13 October 1921, Page 5

CRIMINAL LIBEL

A SENSATIONAL SUIT ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION. MR H. BOTTOMLEY PROSECUTES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received Ocober 12, 5.5 p.m. LONDON. October 11. A sensational criminal libel suit has opened at Bow Street Court. Great crowds outside hooted and cheered Mr Horatio Bottomicy, who is prosecuting Reuben Bigland for selling a libellous pamphlet broadcast' in the streets of London, which alleged that "the arch-rogue Bottomicy had become the possessor of nearly a million of money through his Victory Bond Club." Sir Ernest Wild, on behalf of Mr Bottomicy, denied the statement /in the pamphlet, and alleged that Bigland for five years had been attempting 1o extort money, culminating in Bigland forcibly entering Bottomley's flat at Kingston at 7 o'clock in the morning and asking for £60,000. Sir Ernest Wild said the public had subscribed £ir>o,ooo to the Victory Bond Club, of which £350,000 had been returned to the public after Victory bonds fell from £BS to £75. Of this, Mr Bottomicy found £3."),000 out of liis own pocket in order to pay back subscribers. Mr Bottomicy, in the witness box, supported Sir E. Wild's statement.