SPECTRE OF THE PAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 236, 3 April 1912, Page 6

SPECTRE OF THE PAST.

RAISED BY A WOMAN. ALLEGED BLACKMAIL. Auckland, March 30. ■Oil Wednesday last a woman named Frances Wilson, alias Coyne, was convicted of several charges in connection with keeping a disorderly house in Federal street. Her husband, "Ginger". Wilson, was sentenced to imprisonment on similar ctargas. She and Wilson's mother were let off with fines of £lO and £5 respectively, and she was also prohibited. The women were allowed a week in which to find the money. Two days later a married man of s.ome standing in the city complained to the police of what he alleged was an attempt, not by any means the first on the part of a woman, to "screw" money' out of him by holding over liia .head letters which were supposed to pertain to some indiscretion of his youthful days. The direct result was that he yesterday kept an appointment demanded by t'he woman, but had in his company Detec-tive-'Sergcant McMahon. The sequel was that the woman, Frances Wilson, aged thirty-nine years, appeared in Court this morning charged' with breaches of her prohibition order, and with being a rogue and vagabond in that she had insufficient lawful means of support.

Chief-Detective Marsack, in outlining the case, remarked that it was not intended to make any charge of blackmail, as the man involved was a citizen in a prominent position, and to proceed with such a charge would cause a disclosure of his name, and would bring about the purpose intended by the accused. The object, he said, of tlie present prosecution was to put an end to an intolerable nuisance which a respectable man had been subjected to. The woman had been prohibited on Wednesday, and when she was arrested by Detective McMahon yesterday she -was under the influence of liquor, and a small bottle of whisky had been found 011 her.

The accused, who was represented by Mr. Singer, pleaded "guilty" to the breaches, and "not guilty" to the other charge. Detective McMahon, in evidence relating to the other charge, said that, with an old gentleman, lie went yesterday to the corner of Patterson street find a street leading to t'he gasworks. After some time he saw the accused approaching, and she went up to the old gentleman in a very aggressive manner. He made himself known and asked her her business with the gentleman. She said she luul a right to see him, as she had in her pocket letters which he had written to her. Witness charged her with having blackmailed the man for nearly eleven years. She said he had been giving her money, but did not say what for. Witness, knowing that accused was a prohibited person, and her antecedents, then arrested her 011 the charge. Tie found in a little bag she had a bundle of empty envelopes. Mr. Singer, who had in the meantime entered a plea of "guilty," pointed out that there was 110 charge of blackmail, and submitted that the evidence was not relevant. The woman and her mother had been fined and given a week in which to find the money, and they were endeavoring to sell their effects for that purpose. He thought that the woman should be given the opportunity to da so, and not be imprisoned. Mr. Cutten, S.M., said that much of the eviOence was not relevant, but there was sufficient for a conviction. The accused would be given the opportunity to sell up her effects. She.would be convicted and discharged for the breach of her order, and. on the other charge would be convicted and sentence would be deferred for a month. In the meantime she would be allowed to go on her preseat sureties.