STORY OF PERVERTED GENIUS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1271, 14 July 1914, Page 4

STORY OF PERVERTED GENIUS.

A, IMBECILE

An extrac .n« •; su .ry of the lapses hro mural imbecility of a young man, who is a Bachelor of Science of London University, and -i Whitworth s i alar, was related at the Old Bailey recently. Incidentally, the case was tne first at that Court in which the Mental Deficiency Act ot 1913 has been applied. . Defendant was Edward Noel Craven, an engineer, and he was indicted for obtaining sums of money by false pretences. Mr Dodson, prosecuting, said prisoner arrived at the Rilz Hotel on the night of April Stb, in the betel motor car, and boohed two rooms. Next day ho w_jt to the National Bank of South Africa, Circus Place, Loudon Wall, and stated that he was expecting by the incoming mail a draft, transferring from his account at the Bank’s branch in Johannesburg. On his giving a verbal undertaking not to use any of the cheques until the draft arrived, he was given a book of twenty-five cheques. No draft, arrived, bat Craven cashed three of the cheques for £$ each at the cashier’s and inquiry offices at the Rilz Hotel. Saying he was going to Sheffield and would return on the following day, accused left the Rilz on April 14th. But he did not return, and his hotel bill was nut paid. ONE DINNER £7.

Counsel remarked that Craven lived very comfortably at the Rilz. His bill amounted to ,£4B 17s 6d, including £7 9s for a dinner which he gave to some friends. Detective-Sergeant Vanner deposed to arresting Craven at the Waldorf Hotel, when be said, "I am a fool at times.”

Mr George Elliott, defending, said the case was one of the mostextraordinary be had known. In spite of his intellectual distinction, Craven was practically a moral imbecile, and his conduct, both in relation to this and other matters, was such as clearly to show the he was one of those speevidy pr vided for by the Mental Leficier • cies Act, 1913. The son d a man f considerable posi.mn, at 17 years of age be began to give trouble. He was placed in a home under Dr Corner’s caie, and ultimately sailed for Australia. On his return to England, he applied himseff to the study of science, and was now a very practical anti skilled engineer. ENTITLED TO ,£l ,300

In 19x0 he went to South Africa,' where he married, and where his wile and one child now were. At the present time he was entitled to ,£1,047 in Four per Cent. New Zealand Consols. Another sum of ,£3OO was also due to him under his aunt’s will. Out of these suras all his obligations would be rn-;t. His Honour : Could the doctoi keep him in & heme against bis will ? Mi ; Yes, under your jUorasbip’s order. Hu Honour: Suppose he left the address. Mr TtHiott: Power is provided for b.h. ..rrest. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, an.. Craven admitted a conviction ior telouy at Willesdon in 1907. Detective-Sergeant Vanuer proved the following convictions in South Africa:— 1912: Durban, three months. 1912 : Johannesburg, two years. 1913 : Kimberley, /.xo or three months. 1913: Cape Town, twelve months.

Dr Corner expressed the opinion that Craven was a' moral imbecile, requiring such treatment as was prose 1 ibed by the Eel. His Honour said imprisonment having been tried without remit, it would be a wise ami pr <per th’r~ to try the other method, ana ace if it would be of any use. Ha would make an order to 1 the prisoner to be placed under the car of Dr Corner for twelve mouths, and an order against the prisoner’s estate for the charges of the doctor to be paid.