DODGING ACTIVE SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1917, Page 8

DODGING ACTIVE SERVICE.

I. CHARGE AGAINST A DOCTOR. London; Juie 4. Dr. Henderson Bell reappeared at the Bow street Police Court to-day charged with having attempted to convey the disease of synovitis to Sergeant Albert Orr, of the A.1.F., and a man named Markham was charged with having abetted him. Counsel for the prosecution said that Orr was not desirous of returning to Prance, and wished for employment at headquarters in London, which was reserved for unfits and women. Orr was introduced, to Markham, who arranged for operations costing £25. Bell operated. He injected something in the knee which caused a swelling, with the result that Orr was admitted to Harefield Hosuital. He made 4 confession. Major Brown, Assistant Provos|t-Marshal, entrusted Detective Pearce, of Sydney, to jnake investigations. He arranged with Warraut-officer pawikins to approach Markham with' the pretence that he desired to evade service at the front. They met at the Regent Palace Hotel. Hawkins paid £lO deposit. The detective was concealed in the room recording the conversation. Hawkins paid an additional £3O. An operation was arranged for the night of May 22 a.t a house, where detectives were concealed. Bell examined Hawkins and advised an operation on the nose, saying that it would render him unfit for further service. Bell was proceeding to operate when at a pre-arranged signal the detectives burst in and arrested him. ! Giving, his evidence, Orr confirmed counsel's statement. Defendants were remanded. The case was cleverly worked up by Pearce, but owing to the fact that he had no status in Loudon it was necessary to bring in a Scotland Yard man to arrest and prosecute.