HYDE PARK AFFAIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1922, Page 5

HYDE PARK AFFAIR.

COMPLAINTS BY WOMEN. HIGH OFFICIAL CONVICTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 17, 7.45 p.m. London, Oct. 16. Sir Almeric Fitzroy, clerk of the Privy Council, who pleaded not guilty at the Marlborough Street Court to a charge of wilfully interfering with women in Hyde Park, was fined £5 and 10 guineas costs. He gave notice of appeal. The defence was that Fitzroy had an appointment to meet his wife in Hyde Park. While he waited, two ladies passed and smiled, and defendant, thinking he might know them, raised his hat and went back to see. He found he did not know them, whereupon he begged their pardon and walked on. Later he saw a woman sitting under some trees, and she apologised for previously having been so standoffish, explaining that there was a policeman near. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. The prosecution alleged that on the night of September 29 a policeman saw Fitzroy accost several women, all of whom appeared to resent his advances. Fitzroy seated himself beside women and addressed them. When the policeman threatened to arrest him for annoying the women, he said, “I repudiate it.” One woman told the police in Fitzroy’s hearing that he asked her to walk across tho park. Fitzroy interjected, “Of eourse I spoke to the lady; it is not safe for girls to walk across the park alone.” Fitzroy was arrested, and became most violent. He struck the constable in the face with his stick, and said, “It is an absolute he.”