FALSE ALLEGATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1928, Page 1

FALSE ALLEGATIONS

AGAINST 11AI Rl) It KSSKR

(By Telegraph—Bcr Bress Association.)

CHRISTO 11 ITROTi. Nov. 27

A strange! ease was before Mr Mosley. S.M., to-day. Sybil Louisa Pombertliv and Valentine Abraham Beaumont wore charged that on October 27th, 1928, they did obtain money by imposing no Arthur James Inkstei with a false representation.

The story told hy Inkster was that lie was a hairdresser, and that the female accused', whom he knew well, came to a tenement where he lodged, to have her hair cut. Ibis was done in his bedroom: The woman stayed onlv long enough for the cutting of her hair and they parted on excellent terms, no impropriety having taken place. Beaumont came to see him some time later, and said Bcmberthy was pregnant, and demanded £2O for an illegal operation. Inkster had not the money, hut after repeated requests gave him £n, his wages for that week. He was so worried hy lleaiimoiit’s demands that he attempted suicide. A statement by the accused Rcmhcrtliy was read in which she stated that Inkster grappled with her in his bedroom, but nothing came of it. She wished to frighten Inkster, and suggested that Beaumont should tell him she was pregnant, and get some money out of him for an illegal operation. Sim was not in .fact pregnant and no arrangements had been made for such an operation. Beaumont, in a statement to tic police, said he believed Beniberthy was pregnant, and he had seen Inkster on her behalf.

The Magistrate said lie did not consider it a case of deliberate blackmail, but it had approached very close to it. and had serious consequences., as Inkster had attempted suicide owing to worry. 'Hie woman was neurotic, but it was incomprehensible that Beaumont had been such an easy t mb If be thought it was deliberate black mail, both accused would be sent !'• prison, in spite of the woman s d< i cate health. The woman was the worst offender, and he had little sympathy for her. T’emlvertby was lined £KL in default a month, and Beaumont £n. \u application for the suppression of the names was refused.