FALSE EVIDENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 8

FALSE EVIDENCE

ALLEGED SUBORNATION SERIOUS CHARGES LAID SEQUEL TO DIVORCE ACTION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday Two charges of subornation to perjury were brought against Anthony George Bouterey 37;, a labourer in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. The evidence of the police was to the effect that Bouterey prevailed on two witnesses to give false evidence in the Supreme Court during an application made by ‘Bouterey for a divorce. The charges set out that Bouterey counselled, or procured Cyril Wilfred Stanley and Douglas William Dyer to commit perjury by counselling or procuring them falsely to swear at the Supreme Court hearing of a petition for divorce filed by Bouterey against his wife. The nature of the perjury mentioned in the charges was that the two men said they saw Mrs Bouterey commit adultery with Peter Alexander Munro on a launch at- Napier, whereas in truth and in fact neither man was in Napier on the days in question or any other date and did not see Mrs Bouterey commit adultery with Munro or anyone else. Bouterey was not represented by counsel. Evidence was given that a decree nisi was given In the Supreme Court in favour of Bouterey against Mrs Bouterey. but not against the corespondent, Munro. Dyer gave evidence of Bouterey telling him of the nature of the evidence which would be given at the divorce proceedings by another man, named Richardson and suggesting that Dyer would give similar evidence. “I told him I had never been seen in Napier,” said Dyer. “Bouterey said he would take Stanley and I up there; he was going to give us a general idea of how the wharves in the harbour were situated.” Bouterey promised Dyer and Stanley £5 each If he got a divorce added Dyer. Completely False Dyer said that Bouterey drew a sketch of the wharves at Napier for his guidance. A few days before the divorce proceedings he purchased a 1935 diary in which it was intended that Stanley should write notes purporting to relate to happenings on the launch. That night Stanley said he would not make the notes in the diary, but finally, after persuasion by Bouterey, agreed to give evidence. Later Stanley again said he would not give evidence, and that if he did he would tell the truth. Bouterey remarked that Stanley would be liable for perjury if he did not give evidence. Then it was decided that all of them would give evidence as agreed upon. The evidence given in the Supreme Court completely false. (Proceeding.)