PROMINENT MAN CHARGED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2989, 21 January 1926, Page 4

PROMINENT MAN CHARGED.

SERIOUS ALLEGATION

LONDON, Jan. 4. Crowds, consisting mostly of men, overflowed at the Marlborough street Court when Sir Basil Thomson (who until recently was assistant-Commis-sioner of Police) pleaded not guilty to the charge of having committed an offence in Hyde Park. The prosecution declared that Constables Lawie and Hancocks, while on duty in the Park, noticed the behaviour of a man and a woman sitting beneath a tree. They told the couple that they would be taken into custody. ~ , T Sir Basil Thomson said to Lawrie j “This is a serious tiling for me. Lawrie replied: “Yes.” . “Do you know who I am, Lawrie f Thomson asked. . , “No, sir,” said Lawrie. Your face is certainly familiar, but I cannot remember where I’ve seen you. “I’m Sir Basil Thomson, ex-Assist-ant Commissioner,” said the latter. “How can I keep this from my friends? If they hear of it Tll be ruined.” , , . “Thomson then asked Lawrie to overlook the matter, saving: ‘‘Aon can leave the police altogether. Lawrie replied: “You shouldn t tempt me. It’s impossible to let you o-o.* ’ , ° When ho entered the police station the inspector recognised Thomson and said: “I’m sorry to see you m tins difficulty.” P Thomson said: “Hugh is one oi my names. Will that do?” The inspector replied: “I must accept what you say.” Thereupon Thomson gave the name “Hugh Thomson,” and immediately obtained bail. The magistrate remanded the ease till to-morrow, desiring to inspect the spot in Hyde Park at night time. PRESSMEN IN DOCK. Subsequently the magistrate’s visited the park, accompanied hv counsel on both sides. The smallness of the court and the lack of adequate preparation prevented accommodation being provided for the extra number of correspondents of London and foreign papers. After delay six of these were allowed to enter, lnit had to be content with seats in the dock. DEFENCE FAILS. HYDE PARK INCIDENT. EX-POLICE CHIEF FINED. LONDON, Jan. 5.

When the hearing was resumed at the Marylebone Police Court today, of the case in which Sir Basil Thomson (who, until recently, was assistant-Commissioner of Police) was charged with committing an offence in Hyde Park, Sir Henry CurtisBennett, K.C-, for the defence, argued that the police story was untrue, as the magistrate’s personal, examination of the locality last night must have shown that it would have been impossible for the defendant and the woman, who already had been fined in connection with the affair, to have been seen as alleged. Ten days prior to the incident, said Sir Henry, defendant bad discussed with an ex-inspector-general of Indian police, the conduct of women in Hyde Park and West End streets, and had declared that he intended to deal with the matter in the press, and take the first opportunity. Of inspecting the situation in Hyde Park at first hand. DEFENDANT’S STORY.. Mr Reginald McKenna gave evidence that, when Home Secretary in 1913, before appointing defendant as Assistant-Police Commissioner, he proved him to be not only capable, but of the highest character, and absolutely reliable and trustworthy. Admiral Sir Reginald Hall stated when lie was Director of Intelligence at the Admiralty, he came closely in contact with defendant, and found that his word was always reliable. Defendant’s evidence was that lie went alone to Hyde Park at 9.15 p.m. A young woman asked if she could speak to him, and continued walking beside him. He thought it a good opportunity to ask her about the people frequenting parks, as since his retirement he had been writing books and articles, and bad been intending to investigate the matter for some time. “We sat down on a chair under a tree,” said Sir Basil. “She told a tale of distress, and I gave her a few shillings.” NO BRIBERY ATTEMPTED. They had been there only two minutes, continued defendant, when he hoard running footsteps and two voices, chanting in a monotone, “I charge you.” Then two constables appeared.' Defendant told them it was a monstrous charge, and who he was. He denied that he attempted to bribe Constable Lawrie. The Magistrate said he was compelled to find defendant guilty. Sir Basil, who was fined £5, is appealing.