A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1921, Page 7

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

AGAINST A NEW PLYMOUTH RESIDENT. DISAPPEARANCE AND SURRENDER. A charge of committing an unnatural offence was preferred against Ernest E. Clarke, who appeared in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday on remand from last week. The date of the alleged offence was November 18. Detective-Sergt. Cooney conducted the case for the police, and accused was represented by Mr. D. Hutchen. In asking that the public be excluded from the Court during the proceedings, Detective-Sergt. Cooney described the evidence as “most revolting.” The evidence of a boy was heard. The father (guardian) said the boy had said Clarke waa teaching him typewriting. Dr. W. R. Wade gave medical evidence.

Other witnesses included accused’s employer, J. S. >S. Medley, who said that on December (> he asked Clarke if he was in trouble, remarking that people •were talking about him, and that ne had better consult a solicitor. Accused replied that he was innocent, but he disappeared from the office shortly after the conversation.

Two brothers-in-law of accused,''S. W. Peddie E. Pellew, gave, evidence that on December 9 Clarke was found in a whare on Peddie’s property at Spotswood with the door locked. On being asked to open it he enquired if there were any police about. The suggestion was made that Clarke should give himself up to the police and tell his story to the detective. About 7.30 he proceeded up as far an Gaine Street (via the South Road) in company with Pellew. On the road he made several suggestions that he should commit suicide, to which Pellew replied that this was not necessary if he were innocent. Clarke then asked, to be allowed time to think, and Pellew left him. going to the police station to inform the authorities of Clarke’s whereabc.-ts.

Senior-Sergt. McCrorie gave evidence to the effect that Ciarke surrendered himself at the police station on the morning of the 13th inst. He was accompanied by his brother, and was very excited, but di<T not say anything. At the conclusion of the evidence, and in reply to the usual questions, accused pleaded not gnilty and was committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, opening on February 14. An application for bail by Mr. Hutchen was opposed by the police. De-tective-Sergt. Cooney pointing out that from the evidence, which showed that accused had talked of suicide, it would not be advisable to allow the man at liberty. In intimating that he did not intend to grant bail, Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., said that the evidence had not been contradicted in any way.