MISS CISSIE LOFTUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 309, 30 December 1922, Page 5

MISS CISSIE LOFTUS.

PUT ON PROBATION. A VICTIM TO DRVC HABIT. (Krnm Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON. November I*. The iusidious and devastating effect ot drugs ha, had one more demonstration here in "London, in which to the horror of the groat world which loves the theatre, a well known actree* I* found to figure as a victim. Mies Cisaie Loftus appeared at Marlhorough Street Police Court yesterday on a charge of 'being an unauthorised person in possession of drugs. On her b*ha.lf it was admitted that she liad recourse to the relief ofl narcotics since a serious operation in HMO. and that she was prepared to go into a home. The magistrate ordered her to be put on probation 'for a year, with instructions that she should reside where directed. Mr. Muskett, for the prosecution, referred f> the melancholy fact that the defendant, who had in the past delights* so many thousands of p]aygoer3 of this country, should now appear in that court, and not being a person authorised. He explained that on the itth inst. Mies Loftus was stopped by a detective when coming out of a chemist's shop in Tot-tenham-Court-Road, and found to be in possession of drugs and a hypodermic syringe. On being asked if she were authorised to be in possession of them I she said: "Xo, but T am undergoing the cure at—. This will ruin mc. You are not going to lock mc up, are you?" The detective arrested her and took lier to the police-station. In her handbng were found sulphate tablets and a hypodermic needle, and in an attache ease \va9 a quantity of notepaper bearing the name of a hotel. Some of the paper was blank and other sheets, four in all, bore writing which was no doubt the writing of the defendant, and which appeared to be the commencement of prescriptions for that type of drug. Those pieces of paper were shown to the defendant, who said: "Whatever shall T do? T know I have been ailly to write these things oui. T only did it to get them for myself. Can't you lefc mc po?"' When searched at the police station there were found upon her in a handkerchief a hypodermic syringe, needles, and another tube of morphine sulphate tablets, and a prescription in the same handwriting as on the notepaper. Those articles she had endeavoured to hide, and she had also tried to tear up prescriptions. Mr. Frampton, for the defence, described Miss Loftus as a most brilliant and talented actress, whose present position was really due to long continued ill-health. After being divorced from her first husband she found herself heavily in debt, and bad to go to America and work until these debts were paid. She returned to this country in 1008. She married again in 1909, and the experiences in respect of the first husband were repeated in the case of the second. Again she had to work. In 1910 she separated from her husband and divorced him. In that year she underwent serious operations, in. one of which drugs were administered. Following , upon tile conditions of things in ]!)10 she found that ehe could not resist drugs. s o great was the desire for relief from her sufferings. Xo one hut herself and her own friends knew of her efforts to free herself from the drug habit. She was in siuii a condition of health that slip was almost afraid to appear on the stage. At such times a* this she frankly admitted that she had recourse to the relief of narcotic*, Mise Loftus was acquiring drugs solely for her own needs. Mr. Frampton suggested that it tiie magistrate could be assured that Miss Loftus could be put under complete control and receive proper treatment by a responsible person. that course should he taken. Miss Loftus would be prepared to go into a home for «ix or even twelve months. There was a home ready for her to go to at once. Dr. IT. J. P. Simpson said he had known Mis* Loftus since 1910, jrhen she ha.l undergone four operations round] about, that period. The only chance of her I gettina right wa* to keep her under; 1 strict medical supervision for six itiont!i*i Ito a year. During the last ten years . i she had fought against her de*ir» for drugs. Mrs. Eva Esmond (Mise F.va Moore) said she had known defendant for a jireat many years. She was prepared, in conjunction with Dame May Webster, to ~ee that Miss T/oftus went into a home. Arrangements had already been made tor her, and a nurse was actually ill attendance. Dame May Webster (Miss May Whittyt said she was willing to be bound in similar conditions to the .previous witness. any suggestion that the defendant had had anything to do with trafficking. Mr. Muskett: None. Addressing liie defendant. Mr. W«ddy. tiie magistrate, said: I am dealing withi you exactly as 1 should deal with any I working-class woman from a humble home, of whom it could be said, as aliou; | you. that you have become a victim t«ij this habit in most pathetic circumstances. 1 -diall try to find some mean* of bringin;; about your redemption from this habit other than by puni»lnng you by a| fine or imprisonment. Xeither seems ne.e-sary in tins case. 1 -hall put you' on probation tor a period of a year, with instructions that you shall reside where directed. That means tha-t so long as your treatment i- successful, and you •ii-operate with tiie doctors and nurses, yon will lisar no more of this matter. But if it should lie brought to tiie knowledge of this court that you have resumed the liabi: of taking these drugs it will be their dury to fetch you to this court nnce more, and then thp magistrate will: have to deal witli the offence we are dealing with to-Jay. j The cietVndant then left thp court' wi.ii her friend-. . j I