FANTASTIC SCHEME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1938, Page 7

FANTASTIC SCHEME

THE ATTEMPT TO KIDNAP LORD NUFFIELD

EVIDENCE AT THE OXFORD HEARING.

SHARP CROSS-EXAMINATION

OF WITNESS.

By Telegraph. —Press Association. Copyright. (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, June 13,

At the resumption of the hearing of the charge against John Bruce Thornton of attempting to kidnap Lord Nuffield, Major Ramsden, continuing his evidence, said Thornton instructed him on May 23 to telephone Lord Nuffield’s secretary and arrange an interview with Lord Nuffield for 6 p.m. on May 24. Thornton gave him a telegraph form on which he instructed him to write a telegram to Lord Nuffield’s secretary, announcing: “I am called away, cancel all appointments,” which would be sent after the kidnapping. Ramsden continued that Thornton and himself motored to Oxford on the morning of May 24 where they separated in order to avoid arousing suspicion. Ramsden then disguised himself, Thornton supplying the details, af.ter which he drove to the Police station, where the police assisted him to put false number plates on his car. Ramsden added that he had arranged to meet Thornton at 5.30 p.m. and drive to Cowley, where Thornton, disguised, would represent himself as R. C. Wilson and bring away .Lord Nuffield, peaceably if possible, otherwise at the pistol point. When he met Thornton, the latter, who was undisguised, said h candle had fallen and burnt his wig and the scheme must be postponed. Ramsden suggested that it would be necessary to telephone if he wanted another appointment with Lord Nuffield and Thornton agreed, saying: “Say my car has broken down.” Ramsden then telephoned the police. Mr A. J. Flint’s opening question in cross-examination was: “Were you carrying on an honest and reputable business from 1927 to 1930?” Ramsden: “Yes.”, He added that ihe had done nothing to lead Thornton.to believe that he would join in such a desperate venture. Ramsden said he tried to dissuade Thornton from the kidnapping, which he regarded as, fantastic. He denied that he had ever called himself Ralph Bruce Thornton. Ramsden, referring to Thornton’s postponement of the attempt, said he apparently lost his nerve. Ramsden denied driving Thornton to the attempt. Charles Richard Fox, Chief Constable at Oxford, gave evidence that he questioned Thornton, who denied ever previously being near the Morris works, and denied planning to kidnap or extort money from Lord Nuffield. Referring to a document of instructions that Ramsden alleged had been drawn up for his use ini-an Interview with Lord Nuffield, Thornton said: “It was part of some cinema stuff -1 .-had been writing.” The Chief Constable added: “During the questioning. Lord Nuffield walked in and said to Thornton: “I’m the man you came to collect.” Thornton said that the chain was bought for Ramsden's dog. When charged with the possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, Thornton said he had no intent to endanger life. The things were not loaded.” Mr Flint submitted that there was no case for a jury, and said Thornton was boastful, especially when in his cups. His suggestion of the kidnapping was only a joke. Ramsden, after that, was trying to get evidence to secure notoriety, and possibly a reward from Lord Nuffield.

Thornton was committed for trial. Bail was allowed.