Policeman’s Money

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 845, 13 December 1929, Page 9

Policeman’s Money

JUDGE REACHES VERDICT

£3,500 for the Crown

STRONG COMMENT ON METHODS USED l. nited P.A.—By Telegraph—-Copyright Received 12.5 p.m. LONDON, Thursday. GIVING his verdict in the case of the Crown v. ex-Sergeant Goddard, heard last July, Mr. Justice Rowlatt "awarded the Crown £3,500 with costs and found for Goddard with costs in respect of the balance.

It will be recalled that when Goddard was charged with accepting bribes from Mrs. Meyrick, the night club queen, he was found to have £16,000 in his possession. This was claimed and taken possession of for the police by Lord Byng, chief of Scotland Yard. The Judge commented on the spectacle of police officers employing a method of espionage, and disbursing for this purpose large sums of money. It showed corrupt actions which were more scandalous and menacing than the disorders they -were employed to check. It had" been proved to his satisfaction that £3,500 was traced to Goddard. The Crown contended that it could be assumed that Goddard corruptly received the whole sum, as it could not. be derived front his salary,

and was not accounted for. This was only shrewd guessing, that as he was a knave, who had not accounted for the money, it was the proceeds of other knavery. Replying to the Crown's desire that Goddard’s claim against Lord Byng be stayed till the present judgment is satisfied, Mr. Justice Rowlatt said there must not be delay. Lord Byng took a great risk. “It is a pretty serious matter when the Crown takes and retains money, concerning which no conviction occurs,” said the judge. “The Crown is entitled to the general costs of the information, and in the other action the substance of the order will be that Goddard is entitled to recover by Lord Byng £12,500 with costs, and there can be an adjustment between the two actions.”