PENAL SERVITUDE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 90, 23 April 1913, Page 3

PENAL SERVITUDE.

YOUTH SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS. At the Armidale (N.R.W.) Circuit Court, Herbert James Ernest Skinner (20) was charged with a criminal offence at Hillgrove on January 11), on a girl under the age of 16—to wit, 15 years and 7 months. He pleaded not guilty, and Mr Mocatta appeared for the defence. After all day had been spent in hearing the case, the jury retired at 5.56, and returned in 10 minutes with a verdict of guilty. His Honor, in passing sentence of seven years’ penal servitude, said the case was one of the worst that had ever come under his notice. Prisoner’s conduct was that of a filthy, low blackguard, and the young men who gave evidence on his behalf were almost as bad. He trusted the police would at once take proceedings against them, and bring them also to justice.

The smile that lights the maiden’s rye, The blush that dyes her cheek. The softness of her ruby lip In nature’s accents speak. Rut deadly cough kills smile or blush, It’s weapon keen and sure; So bring the bright smile back again With Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure,