CONFESSED CATTLE THIEVES.

Shannon News, 13 September 1921, Page 2

CONFESSED CATTLE THIEVES.

SENT TO GAOL. Roy Bateup and Roy Wilmhurst were found guilty of cattle-stealing in the Supreme Court, and were re* manded for sentence. In reference to a recommendation to mercy for Wilmhurst, on account of his youth and low intelligence, Mr Justice Salmond said this was the first time in his experience that an accused person had the assurance, not to say the audacity, to go into the box and try to make the jury believe that he was an innocent man, when two written confessions had been handed in. Both men were admittedly liars, continued Judge Salmond, in summing up, and Bateup, on his own confession, was not only a liar, but a forger as well. He forged documents, told lies, and deceived the police. Wilmhurst, in two formal admissions, had confessed his guilt. There was not the least doubt that one of them had stolen the cattle. After one and a-quarter hour’s retirement, the jury returned a verdict of guilty. At the Supreme Court, Roy Bateup was sentenced to 18 months, and Roy Wilmhurst to six months, for cattle stealing. Wilmhurst is also to undergo reformative treatment for a time not exceeding one year.