REAL JUSTICE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9657, 14 July 1919, Page 8

REAL JUSTICE.

The fairness of British justice has seldom been more strikingly exemplified, than during a case at Marylebone on April 7, in which Edward Horace Winter, of Cambridge ■ Place, Paddington,- was.charged with stealing apiece of beef from the Home and Colonial Stores. He had £8 8s B£d in his pocket when arrested, and had the meat under his coat.

"Whatever made mo do it I don't know," he told the Magistrate. " I took the meat, but I was under the influence of dwnk."

The witnesses and the police agreed that he was, and Detecpive-Sergeant liadlaw added that the- man bore an excellent character.

Asked if he pleaded guilty, the accused said he must, because he took Lhe meat.

" But you say you were under the influence of drink," said the Magistrate. "Do you still plead guilty ?" "Well. I must," he replied.

The Magistrate (Mr Mead): " But if you took the meat while you were walking in your sleep, would you then plead guilty ?" "It amounts to the same tiling," answered the prisoner. Mr Mead: "Then you plead guilty to being a thief ?" "I must," said the prisoner.

Mr Mead: "Well, I shall take it as not guilty, in spite of you)' plea., and on that you are discharged; but for being drunk you must pay 10s, and 10s costs."