GERMAN WIFE OF R.A.F. SERGEANT GAOLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 156, 3 July 1940, Page 7

GERMAN WIFE OF R.A.F. SERGEANT GAOLED.

HELPING ENEMY.

Man Planning To Aid Nazi Invaders Imprisoned.

FIFTH COLUMN IN BRITAIN.

United Press Association.—Copyright

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LOXDOX, July 2.

Charged under the Official Secrets Act, Mrs. Marie Louisa Augusta Ingram was found guilty at the Old Bailey of conspiring to contravene the defence regulations, committing an act with intent to assist the enemy. She was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. She was found not guilty of conspiring to obtain blueprints.

William Swift was found guilty of conspiracy, communicating with Mrs. Ingram and inciting a Royal Tank Corps corporal to join the Local Defence Volunteer Service in order to obtain arms for the protection of invaders and endeavouring to cause disaffection in the King's services. He was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment.

Archibald Watts was found not guilty on all counts.

Mrs. Iseult Gonne Stuart, who was arrested at the same time as Stephen Carrol Held, a company director, sentenced at the Dublin Court on June 26 under the Emergency Powers Act, has been found not guilty and discharged. It was alleged that among a number of suspicious articles found in Held's house were maps, a wireless transmitter and telegraphic tapper. A parachute was also discovered.

"The Germans will be in England within three weeks. The Royal Family and the Cabinet will be publiclv executed and Oswald Mosley will become ruler of Britain under German control."

This statement was attributed to the German wife of a Royal Air Force sergeant, Marie Louise " Augusta Ingram, when she, together with William Swift and Archibald Watts, was charged at Portsmouth, under the Official Secrets Act, on May 31.

The prosecution said Ingram was employed as a domestic by a senior officer engaged on important duties for the Admiralty. Ingram urged the man to join the British Union of Fascists and confided that her brother-in-law was on the staff of the German High Command, whom she was supplying with information.

The police arrested the defendants on May 23. They would have been before the Court on charges punishable by death if their offences had occurred less than a week later.