TURF SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1922, Page 5

TURF SENSATION.

BETTING FRAUD CHARGE. TRIAL OF SOCIETY PEOPLE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrlgtt. Received March 8, 5.5 p.m. London, March 7The trial has opened at the Old Bailey in which Captain Owen Peel, son-in-law oi Sir Robert Jardine, and his wife, are charged in connection with the dispatch of 45 telegrams to various bookmakers, backing Paragon in the Duke of York Stakes. The prosecution alleges that the Peels ascertained by telephone that the horse had won before they presented the telegrams at a countryside post office. Peel pleaded guilty and his wife not-guilty. The trial produced a dramatic surprise. The husband’s plea of guilty astonished the great array of fashionable people present, while the wife firmly pleaded not guilty. ArguiHent followed as to whether the wife could be tried, because it must be presumed that she acted under her husband’s influence.

Mr. Justice Darling declared the wife must be tried, and adjourned the case until the 9th inst.

Bail was refused to Peel, but Mrs. Peel was released on her own recogni-sAnces.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

In this cas?e some bookmakers paid out on the bets, but others questioned the time of lodgment, and requested inquiries. It” is further alleged that the accused induced the postm ster to enter a false time of receipt on the. messages. The Peels stood to win £4600. At the hearing in the lower court the court was crowded with well-known sporting and society people. Many fashionablydressed women stood throughout the sitting. Both the defendants, who are young, were self-possessed, but the wife was pale, and sat with bent head. The case depends upon the following vital facts:—The race was timed for 2.50 p.m., but was actually run at 3 p.m. The prosecution alleges that the telegrams were handed it at the post office after 3 p.m., but that the telegrams were actually timed 2.45 p.m.