Sentence on a Vicar.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 May 1915, Page 2

Sentence on a Vicar.

PLKADS GUILTY TO FRAUD. The Rev James Whittam, vicar of •Shorburn, near Scarborough, pleaded guilty at York Assiises to three charges or' obtaining money by fraud from moneylenders, and was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment in the sec-ieß ont] division. *^ Other charges of unlawful conversion ■ of money obtained from Mr Andrew Carnegie and Sir Tatton Sykes. to which ho pleaded not guilty, were not proceeded with. Mr Justice Coleridge, in passing sentence .said it had often been eaid, he thought erroneously, that the punishment which persons in the prisoner's ! position suffered from the mere proof in open court of such charges relieved tlio court from adding to it. He did not take that view. People occupying high and trusted positions were not tempted in the way poor, unassisced. ignorant people were tempted. Therefore, the measure of their guilt was greater tho higher the state from which they fell. The same punishment should be meted out to a man in a high position as to the lowest and humblest of his Majesty's oitiseos.