HAMILTON BOOKMAKER CONVICTED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4419, 25 February 1930, Page 2

HAMILTON BOOKMAKER CONVICTED.

PRESENTS SENT TO POLICE OFFICERS.

Hamilton, February 24

Harry Abraham Samuels, tailor, of Hamilton, charged with attempting lo bribe two detectives by giving each £lO and a ease of pipes, appeared before Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court at Hamilton 10-ilay. Samuels was recently convicted, of hookmaking and lined £3OO. "

Summing up, Ilis Honour said accused was not charged with the offence of hookmaking', hut an offence which affected the administration of justice. The jury had therefore To consider the charge entirely irrespective of the question of hooknmkirig. Did accused, in the jury’s opinion, offer gifts to two detectives as a bribe in order to induce them to forego a duty? lie asked. The charge, said His Honour, was a serious one, which went to (he whole root of the administration of justice. His Honour reviewed the evidence briefly, referring especially in Samii'cls’s prior conduct in approaching the luu detectives when they suggested an interview at Detective Thompson’s house, and when he offered Detective While a suit of clothes. The jury was entitled to ask them selves what was the intention of accused in sending the two officers these presents in such circumstances, and in view of the fact that Detective Thompson already had announced his determination to put down hookmaking, and in view of till* fact that a strange “cop” lmd already attempted to make a bet with him, also in view of Hie recent raids Samuels hail escaped. The inference was that the bribes were offered with it corrupt intent.

After a retirement of two hours the jury returned with a verdict of guilty. Sent cnee was postponed.