WAR HERO IN COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 135, 10 June 1927, Page 9

WAR HERO IN COURT.

STOLE FOR WIFE AND CHILD. SEVERE STRUGGLE AGAINST EXTREME POVERTY. A NOMINAL SENTENCE. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. " ith an honourable and very distinguished war record behind him, James Bell received leniency from Mr. Justice Adams to-day when he came before His Honor for sentence for breaking into a shop and committing theft. "He was wounded four times." His Honor said, "was promoted for braverv, he was mentioned in dispatches five times, he has a Mons medal and a French medal. Seven .different officers recommended him for the V.C. He was discharged with honour in 191 S. His record is an exceptionally honourable one." It wa- i>ot his splendid war service but the circumstances of the crime that led His Honor to order Bell to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months. His Honor said that Bell, with his wife and two children, had had a severe struggle against extreme poverty. According to his statement, he sometimes went without food for a clay at a time. He had been under the maximum temptation, t Although that did no excuse crime, the offence he had committed was done under pressure, not only on him, but also on his wife and children.