Wife’s Plea Accepted

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 2

Wife’s Plea Accepted

■ (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, December 15. Maureen Waring’s 4000-word letter to three Judges touched their hearts today and won freedom for her husband.

“It is one of the most remarkable human documents this Court has ever read.” said Lord Justice salmon in the Appeal Court, newspapers reported. The husband. Jack Waring, aged 24, had a “shocking” criminal record, the Judge added. But it was clear that he had married "a woman of quite exceptional character and understanding.” Under her influence, the Court felt, there was a chance that he would become a decent citizen. The Judges set aside a three-year sentence imposed on Waring last July for housebreaking offences and substituted probation. Lord Justice Salmon said that Waring apparently committed the offences because he had no work and was unable to support his wife, who was ill. Later he found a job, and his employers were prepared to take him back.

The Judge then told Waring: “For your wife’s sake, in particular, take advantage of the very exceptional chance we are giving you.” Mrs Waring, aged 27, of Clayton-Le-Moors, Lancashire, said: “It took me three weeks to, write the letter to the Judges and I poured out my heart “I told them how my husband had looked after me in my illness—caused by a skin disease—with greater kindness than I have ever known. He had the patience of a saint.” Mrs Waring, who was married, ID months ago, added: “In another part of the letter I talked about the way society in general never seems to forgive a man with a criminal record. The finger keeps pointing and the dog hasn’t a chance."