LAWLOR IN COURT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1939, Page 6

LAWLOR IN COURT

CONVICTED OF POSSESSING FIREARM NOT GUILTY OF INTENT TO ENDANGER LIFE. BELGRAVE SQUARE EPISODE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 29. Ledwedge Vincent Lawlor, aged 45, appeared in Court on a charge that on June 6 in Belgrave Square he had possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or cause serious damage to property, and contrary to the Firearms Act. The case is that in which it was alleged that a shot was fired as the Duchess of Kent was leaving her home on her way to a cinema theatre. Lawlor pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to damage property and pleaded not guilty to intent to life. He was bound over for a year, on condition that he goes to Australia within a month. The prosecution accepted the plea of not guilty to intent to endanger life. It was stated that Lawlor was a native of Dunedin, but had spent most of his life in Australia. He was of good character and served with the Ffteenth Australian Light Horse, being discharged ip 1919 with the rank of sergeant and a 20 per cent disability

pension. Later he married and became the father of one child. His wife divorced him, after which he drank heavily and suffered a nervous breakdown. He was committed to a mental home in 1932. He was twice allowed trial leave, once escaped and was finally discharged in 1937. The prosecution recapitulated the events of June 5, Stating that the chances of hitting a target was remote, as the gun used was a sawn-down German .22 rifle without sights. The judge, when binding Lawlor over in the sum of £lO, said: “I am satisfied that you had not any positive intent and think your mind was not in a state to arrive-at sensible and balanced decisions. I think it best to get back to where you have blood relations. The judge .ordered the forfeiture of the gun and ammunition and instructed Lawlor to place himself in the care of the probation officer until his departure from England.”