SENT TO GAOL

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 63, 15 March 1934, Page 7

SENT TO GAOL

PEERESS'S FRAUD

"ELDORADO" IN HONDURAS

With the reminder ringing in her ears that rich and poor alike were subject to the same law a 70-year-old peeress stepped down from the dock to the cells at the Old Bailey, London, lately after receiving a sentence of imprisonment at the close of a five days' trial. .' . . The peeress is Elizabeth Florence Baroness Strabolgi, of South Kensington, who together with Robert Henri Marie Muller, aged 62, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud, and of attempting to obtain money by false pretences. By representing that they held a valuable timber concession in Honduras —which according to them was a veritable Eldorado—the two accused tried, without success, to obtain sums of money from several people, including the Hon. Francis de Moleyns, son of Lord Ventry, the Irish peer. This young man was suspicious and went to the police, with . the result that their scheming was brought to an end. Both the bai-oness and Muller were bankrupts, and the prosecution's case was that they did not hold a concession at all. In the witness box both of them denied any intent to defraud, and Lady Strabolgi said that, given the opportunity, she would go to Honduras tomorrow to develop the country. Muller spoke of the high positions he had held in the Republic, and also declared that on one occasion, when he was living at Princess Gate, London, he entertained, two grandchildren of Queen. Victoria. It was suggested for the defence that the prosecution was engineered by Mr. de Moleyns to gain publicity for an eye balm in which he was interested. The Recorder, Sir Ernest Wild, K.C., told the jury in his summing-up that they would take the suggestion for what it was worth. RECOMMENDATION TO MERCY. Tho jury were an hour in reaching their verdict, and when they returned, the foreman announced the guilt of both persons, and recommended Lady Strabolgi to mercy on account of her age. . Mr. Cyril Salmon, her counsel, mentioned that the Rev. Reginald Kenworthy, son of Lady Strabolgi, would give her a home at his rectory in Norfolk, and her other son would contribute towards her support. Tho Recorder, in passing sentence, said he believed the jury's verdict was a righteous one. "There is no doubt," he added, "that there was attempt after attempt on the part of both of you to .defraud people who could ill afford to be defrauded. It is very fortunate you did not succeed in getting any money at all, or you—Muller— would certainly have gone to penal servitude.'' To Lady Strabolgi, who at that stage was allowed to remain seated, the Judge remarkod: "I am very glad the jury have seen their way to recommend you to mercy on the ground- of your age. It is very painful to them an'l to me to see a lady of your high position in the dock. I shallpass the least sentence commensurate with my public duty, but I must not be deflected by rank or position, because there is the same law for the rich as for the poor." SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT. i The sentences were:—Muller, twelve months' imprisonment in the second division; Lady Strabolgi, three months' imprisonment in the second division. \Vhen the JRecorder had finished addressing her, Lady Strabolgi, who wore a large black hat, with a fur coat and muff, rose from her chair and stood waiting as if she expected him to say something more. She looked surprised and dazed, until the wardress tapped , her on the arm and led her firmly, but kindly, to the steps leading to the cells. Permission was given for her son to see . her. , Lady Strabolgi and Muller an- [ nounced their intention to appeal against the verdict.