"A BRUTAL BLACKGUARD"

Nelson Evening Mail, 26 September 1916, Page 1

"A BRUTAL BLACKGUARD"

PREYS ONi WZ/PLESS WOMEN! -.

"It is a pity v that such, a as this man is not known from 'North Cape .to Bluff," (remarked Inspeotoi; Bendrey, in the, Wellington Magistrates Court the other day, says. the Post/ m reference to Thomas,. Francis-'McMillan, • ■who was called) uponi .to answer one - charge of theft and three of , false pretences. It was shown in the evidence" that a wddow named Mrs Bawson -be-, came acquainted with M'MEUan through the medium of a matrimonial' advertisement, and that she agreed to.marry him in a few months' time. She hadi a quantity of furniture at Masterton, where she had 'been living for albout nine months, , and) on M'Millan's suggestion she went to Masterton and disposed of it. Mrs , Rawsdn returned! to Wellington on -27 th. 1 July, and accused met her at the railway ; station.- After a while he asked, her if she could give him £8" 10s in order to "make the books right"' at Young's OhemicaL Company, where accrusedi. was employed. (She complied with the request, fully • believing that M'Mifllan- was acting'straightforwardly. On subsequent occasions she gave him. £6 and 25a. : She also' gave hdm her wedding ring, believing that he wanted it for the purpose of gauging the size of the engagement'ring. The ring Was never returned, while the borrowed money suffered %he same fate- ' When Mrs Rawson discovered the accused's character she refused to have any more-to do with 'him. For the defence it was submitted "by ■jut Jf. ~W,. Jackson that the charges mustfail, as no false pretences had been disn ' dosed. Thev had/ no evidence that M'Millan did not tell the truth when he asked Mrs Rawson for the £8 10s. The Magistrate (Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.iM.): I hold that the cliarges have been proved!. At this stage Inspector Hendrey rose and proceed edi to refer to other acts'by M'Milkm which had. come under the notice of the police. Mr Jackson: I must object, sir, unless the instances have been proved in Court.The Magistrate upheld Mr Jackson's ' objection. Inspector Hendrey: I would like to say, your Worship, that the accused"has behaved in a "brutal manner. He "has preyed upon unfortunate, helpless women, arid got money and' goods out of them by pro: fessing love and'promising marriage. He , has two convictions against him for similar offences, and there are several otlier instances. -....ere counsel again objected. On two of the charges M'Millan was sentenced to one month in 'gaol in each instance, and) on each of the others to six months'. For escaping from the Terrace Gaol he was sentenced 1 to an additional month in prison. All t&e sentences were ordered to be cumulative.