“MENACES” TO THE KING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 10

“MENACES” TO THE KING

young man alleged to have demanded money. REMARKABLE CHARGE. LONDON, January 5. Charged on remand with having on December 15th sent to his Majesty King George V. a letter "demanding with menaces arid without reasonable and proper cause certain moneys, Percy AVilliam Collins, of Irataigar road, Horsham, Sussex, a well-dressed young man. formerly n shop assistant in the town, was further remanded at the local police court. At the previous hearing the prisons pleaded "Not guilty.” The evidence given by P.C. Barnes was to the effect that on Sunday, December loth, ho was keeping observation on the prisoner, whom ho saw post a letter which Was found to be addressed to “King George Vi, Buckingham Palace, London.” He subsequently arrested the prisoner. The accused asked the policeman a series of questions to which ho found some difficulty in replying. He asked “Are your statements irrefragable?” to which he failed to get any response. Subsequently he questioned the constable as to his “caligraphy” and its "analogy” or "similarity” to the other writings which were obtained at the prisoner’s house as the result of a search. The Bench having decided to remand the prisoner, he asked if be could swear an affidavit and “have a habeas corpus.” Superintendent Golding informed the Bench that the case was being taken up by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and he asked for a further remand for a week, which was granted. The prisoner strenuously obj'ectcd to the adjournment, desiring to be dealt with immediately. The case, he asserted, had not been “logically proposed or Faithfully maintained. The prisoner was remanded in custody ,and as he was being removed from the court he said. “It does not say much for your sense of honour or your knowledge of our jurisprudence.” No statement was made in court as to the contents of the letter.