BLACKMAIL

NZ Truth, Issue 1179, 5 July 1928, Page 5

BLACKMAIL

Letters Cost Why man His Freedom (From "N.Z. Truth's" Rotorua Rep.) Cuthbert Sydney Whyman, a middle-aged motor mechanic, has discovered to his cost that a blackmailer's lot is not a happy one, said cost being the sacrifice of three months' time and labor (hard) to the service of His Majesty. VV7HYMAN, for some months last year. was m the employ of Henry Langguth, a motor-carrier, of the thermal regions. It was Whyman's job to run a motor truck between Rotorua and Taupo. . One day he took the truck on its customary jaunt, but when he came to a certain hill, about eleven miles outside Rotorua, he let it run down with a free engine, then switched on suddenly and the truck burst into flames. He threw sq.nd on the blazing vehicle which was badly damaged. ' On his return to Rotorua he inform - ed Langguth of what had happened and, next day, accompanied by an insurance adjuster, they went to tho scene, where Whyman told his story, which satisfied the adjuster that the fire had been the result of an accident. N The truck had originally cost about £400, which sum Langguth received from the company, less what he subsequently sold the truck for. Whyman continued- m Langguth's employ for several months after this incident, but was subsequently discharged for insulting his employer's wife. This was m October last. One day m February, Langguth was surprised •to receive a 'phone call from Whyman, who had, by this time, secured employment at Hamilton, stating that he was coming to see him, as he was "m a bit of a tight corner." He' did not arrive at Rotorua, however, but a few days later Langguth received certain letters signed by Whyman, m which he wrote: "It is a long time ago since the affair of the Republic truck and you have not given me what you promised. I now ask you to forward same, otherwise I. will not keep quiet . . . "In the first place, you promised me £20 if everything came out all right when the Republic was destroyed. "That turned out very satisfactorily I as you know, over £ 400. WHYMAN'S THREAT "The next thing you sold the old truck for a good price and you know I have two persons who can prove how it happened. "If you do not carry out your promise before Friday, I intend to write to the insurance company, giving them full particulars. "As you know, the truck was stripped and specially loaded the night before and I will carry out my threat no matter. what happens." Langguth promptly put the police m possession of the letters, with tlie result that Whyman was called upon to answer a charge at the Hamilton Supreme Court last week, of having sent a letter to Langguth with intent to extort £20 by threatening to accuse him of a crime punishable by law, namely, of wilfully destroying or damaging, a Republic truck, to the value of more than £5. Whyman, who was represented by Lawyer F. J. Mouat, of Auckland, pleaded not guilts'*, although m a state-, ment which he had previously given to the police, he admitted having written the two letters bearing his signature. Langguth, m evidence, emphatically denied having given instructions for the destruction of the truck. A witness named John McLean was . then called by the defence. In answer to [ Lawyer Mouat, he asserted that Lang- * Iguth had, once instructed him to bum the vehicle. , Counsel was taken severely to task . by the judge ;for putting a question [which he must have known to be improper. The jury did not take long to bring m a verdict of guilty. In sentencing Whyman tb three months' hard labor, his honor, said that while the case, was not a very bad one of its kind,-black-mail was looked upon seriously by the law.. According to the police report, Whyman was a very good mechanic, but a very bad husband. He was earning high wages, but left his wife and family to fend, for themselves. He deserved a. short, sharp lesson. . ' . - '