Bigamist Gaoled for 11-year-old Crime

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 42, 19 February 1937, Page 7

Bigamist Gaoled for 11-year-old Crime

LA?£E of time lessens GRAVITY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. "If this case had come before the Court shortly after tho offence was committed it would have been treated as a very bad case of bigamy, because of tho callous manner in which you loft your wife and children," said tho Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) in the Supreme Court to-day before sentencing William Arnold Sinclair, a labourer, aged 41, to six months' hard labour for bigamy committed eleven years ago. Had the prisoner been brought before the Court soon after his offence, said his Honour, there would have been a substantial sentence imposed. Although the offence did not loom so large after eleven years, ft was nevertheless necea sary to consider the case, from the point of view of tho manner in which it was disposed of, acting as deterrent to other persons who might be minded to commit similar offences. Probation was out of the question. Mr P. Keesing, who appeared for the prisoner, said Sinclair had led a very unhappy life with his real wife. He left her eleven years ago to seek work in Wellington and boarded with the parents of the woman with whom he went through a form of marriage. He committed the offence about five months after leaving hia wife. He had been extremely happy with his second "wife" and had three children. Woman Admits Bigamy. Remarking that ;t was not often that probation was granted in cases of bigamy, the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), in the Buprem© Court to-day, released on two years' probation Mary Isabella Christina Laloli, a domestic, aged 34, who admitted committing bigamy. The prisoner, he said, would appear to have had a very hard life, and after reading the report of the probation officer ho did not think any good could be served by sending her to prison.

Mr F. J. Foot, who appeared for the prisoner, said her husband had been addicted to drink, and they had parted several years ago. Had she kdbwu of the method of obtaining a divorce cheaply as a pauper her freedom would have been easy to secure. Bhe had worked as a waitress and a housekeeper, and had had the burden of supporting herself when she had not been in good health. The proposal which had resulted in the bigamous marriage had been made somo twelve months ago.