THE DRUCE SEQUEL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2164, 13 April 1908, Page 3

THE DRUCE SEQUEL.

MRS ROBINSON A MERE PUPPET SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT. United Press Association— Copyright (Received April 12, 4.12 p m.) LONDON, April 11. The"trial of .Mary Robinson for perjury in connection with the Druce case has concluded. Mr Avory, K.C., declared that the offence was the worst possible, and was due solely from sordid motives. Mr. Marshall Hall, for the defence, pleaded that tho prisoner had been cruelly and wickedly duped. She was a. mere puppet in the hands of the master who was guiding the. conspiracy. Her crime was indefensible, and lie asked for leniency only in view; of the special circumstances connected with the case. Mr. Justice Walton said he did not wish to make any imputation against any particular individual. In relation to the prisoner he was satisfied she was tempted to commit per'lurv. He emphasised the very serious mischief arising from the promotion of companies for the adopting and maintaining of shadowy claims for property, and. the willingness ot a public of infinite credulity to contnbute money to such schemes. I e commented on .the . institution of criminal proceedings. In support of so monstrous a claim, he added, that Mrs. Robinson was only acting, doubtless, on pressure. She yielded to temptation, and her age was the only mitigating circumstance weighing w ith him. Otherwise he would have imposed the maximum sentence ot seven years. He sentenced the masoner to four years’ imprisonment.