MURDER MYSTERY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1929, Page 6

MURDER MYSTERY

ACCUSED ACTOR’S DENIALS,

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, October 7

England has been mystified by a tragedy in which a man named Alfred Oliver, aged 60 years, a tobacconist, of Cross Street, Reading, was found bludgeoned and at the point of death, in his shop on June 22nd last. His wife left the shop at 6.5 o’clock in the afternoon, and returned at 6.15 o’clock, when she found her husband dying.

After making inquiries for three months, the police failed to make an arrest, but at the resumed inquest a strange story was unfolded at the Coroner’s Court. Philip Y ale Drew, aged 50 years, who was playing the part of a disguised detective in “The Monster,.” which was being staged at Reading at the time of the murder, sat and listened to a long succession of witnesses, who pointed to him as a man who was behaving strangely outside Oliver’s shop on the evening of the crime.

Others gave evidence that Drew kept the theatre late that night, and that lie' afterwards explained that he had lost the .trousers which he usually wore on the stage.

A servant of his lodging ljouse said he had asked for benzolene to clean his jacket, and that he was excitable and nervy. DREW A POPULAR HERO. LONDON, October 7.

Philip Drew has 'found so many admirers in Reading that a bod\ guard to-day accompanied him to and from the court. There were extraordinary scenes in the streets. Whenever he appeared, he was cheered. On the route to the court, hundreds of women and girls and some men followed, and gave him a great popular reception. Popular feeling has boon worked up to a remarkable pitch as the drama is gradually approaching its (Umax. When Drew ' appeared at the adjournment, women rushed forward and shook his hand., and patted his back; they also presented him with mascots. One woman gave him a lump of coal for luck, and another gave him a sprig of heather. There were shouts of “good luck!” “Don’t be downhearted!”

‘‘l am quite happy boys,” Drew shouted to the crowd.

THE EVIDENCE AGAINST DREW

Meanwhile there was a more sober influence inside the court, where evidence was given by an army of witnesses, who were still helping to piece together the threads of the invsterious crime.

Detective Sergeant Harris, of Scotland Yard, told how he • interviewed Drew at Nottingham. Without equivocation he had told Drew that he was inquiring into the Reading mursecond time. He said that Drew exclaimed ‘murder!’ He appeared to be shaken. He hesitated and asked: “Are you accusing me?” Drew signed a statement, part of which was that he did not go to, and shop in. Reading. He had not committed the murder. He would like to sign this four times, and underline it. The detective described a dramatic scene when Drew was questioned the scoik.l tiime. He said that Drew hanged the table. Then he began to cry. He obviously was under the stress of great emotion. At one point of the statement. Drew exclaimed: “I couldn’t and wouldn’t kill a man. I cannot understand the witnesses picking me | n HIS HAIR CHANGES COLOUR. Detective Harris conclhded by saying that when lie interviewed Drew at Nottingham, his hair was much greyer than it was now. He said. “Tluydye is wearing off. I’ve observed it change in' colour while sitting in this court to-day.”

. Drew was represented by a young barrister, Mr Fearnley Whittingsall, the same one who represented the Due family in the Croydon poisoning inquest. The inquiry is expected to last for three days.