MAYOR OF WELLS SENT TO PRISON.

Shannon News, 12 August 1927, Page 3

MAYOR OF WELLS SENT TO PRISON.

COMMITTED PERJURY AT AGE OF SEVENTY. LONDON, June 16. The Mayor of Wells, Mr. Edward Schilling La Thangue Collins, aged 70. was found guilty of perjury at Exeter Assizes, yesterday, and was sent to prison for six months in the second division.

The matter arose out of a ease in which Mr. Collins sued a,Mr. Jewell for £147 3s 8d for dilapidations under a tenancy agreement. In these proceedings, it was alleged, Mr. Collins put in a false schedule, which he said he had received from a surveyor, Mr. Budd, who acted for him but was now dead.

The prosecution contended that the schedule was typed on Mr. Collins's instructions.

Mr Croom-Johnston, for the defence, said the prosecution came into being because the people in Wells had taken sides over . the County Court action and an atmosphere <>£ suspicion and prejudice had been created agair.&T Mr Collins in the city, where he seld such a high civic position. The judge, passing sentence, said perjury' was all too common and too difficult to detect. Mr. Collins is a farmer, auctioneer, surveyor, civil engineer, and sheriff's officer.