£5 FOR WORST SNEAK

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1920, Page 1

£5 FOR WORST SNEAK

JUDGE’S REMARKABLE OFFER.

“If a baser, more despicable sneak can be found in the United Kingdom I will give a £5 prize to have hnn produced,” declared Mr Justice Dodd at Belfast Assizes recently, referring to Francis Witts, an exsoldier who deceived robhpd, and jilted Elizabeth Hamilton, a good-looking London girl. —Miss Hamilton gave evidence that about 18 months ago she made the acquaintance of accused in' Londom He kept company with her, visited her father’s house, and promised to marry her while ho was in Lord Roberts s Hostel in London. Afterwards he disappeared and she followed him to Belfast. When she presented herself at his house his greeting was: “What the brought you here?” Subsequently he induced her to wire her mother for money. Four pounds were sent, which she gave him to make arrange nients for the wedding, only to discove later that lie had got married to another girl. A charge was then preferred against him of stealing ' by means of a trick.-Prisoner who pleaded that the charge was prefened L 'revenge for his having married another girl was found gunty; and the Judge in passing sentence ebaractencd him as a disgrace to the Army., to' the nation. “I am afraid to sentence him,” he added as .»»>■ lose his pension of 28s a uclk. give him six months without hard labor, and may God have mercy on me if I have been too lenient.