POWDERED GLASS IN MILK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 104, 15 February 1950, Page 8

POWDERED GLASS IN MILK

WOMAN FACES TRIAL (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 14. As the sequel to the discovery of powdered glass and drugs in a billy of milk at a house in Blockhouse Bay in October, Una Jean Riga Corin, aged 33, a divorced woman, came up for trial before his Honour Mr Justice Finlay charged with intending to injure or annoy Adrienne Honey by attempting to cause her to take glass and drugs. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr Meredith, said the offence Avas the result of an act by an extremely jealous woman who had allowed her jealousy to run away with her. Accused had formed an attachment with Harry Mitton, and the relationship had not run smoothly. Accused formed the idea that .Mitton had also an attachment with Mrs Adrienne Honey, and she was continually accusing Mitton and Mrs Honey about this and causing trouble. On October 24 Mrs Honey’s son went to collect the milk from the milk box at the gate'about 100 yards from Mrs Honey’s house, and it Avas noticed there Avas something Avrong with the milk in the billy. A capsule Avas floating on the milk and there Avas sediment in the bottom. The milk Avas handed to the police and analysed,_and it Avas found to contain a total of 13 grains of nembutal and pheno-barbi-tone as well as poAvdered glass. The powdered glass, however, was hot dangerous and the amount of drugs was sufficient only to cause deep sleep. Mr Meredith added it Avas alleged that accused Avas seen near Mrs Honqy’s house on the morning the adulterated milk Avas found, and it was also alleged she had had sleeping drugs in her possession, although it was not suggested that accused Avished to destroy anyone in the Honey household. The prosecution alleged that she Avished to frighten them. The offence was probably actuated by insane jealousy, as the placing of poavdered glass and noxious drugs in milk which might be drunk by children or adults might have had grave consequences.