GIRL PLEADS WITH JUDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2292, 21 June 1921, Page 1

GIRL PLEADS WITH JUDGE.

PAINFUL SCENE

A poignant scene was witnessed at Chester Assizes when John Williams, who had served from 1914 to 1919 and won the D.C.M., was sentenced for bigamouslv marrying a young girl, Janet Morrison. Williams, who had been separated from his wife, was sentenced to fifteen months’ imprisonment. When Mr Justice Swift said the man had grievously wronged the girl, she rose in court and said:

“May I speak for him? 1 will speak for him.” Court officials attempted to slop the girl’s pleadings, but the judge directed her lo enter the witness box.

The Judge: I sentenced him for the injury ho has done to you. You did not know lie was married.

The girl (sobbing): No, sir; bailie was good to me. He was badly treated. lam willing to let him go back to his own wife.

The judge thanked the girl, then, turning to tho prisoner, said: ‘‘l will make considerable allowance for the appeal which has just been made on your behalf by Hie woman you have wronged. I am not sure that 1 am right in doing so. 1 trust you will recognise how much you owe to her. Instead of tho sentence I have just passed upon you, you will have to go to prison for nine months.'"

“Thank you, sir,” replied the prisoner. “Can I see my second wife?” The Judge: “Yes, you may.”