TWO WOMEN FINED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 128, 27 November 1944, Page 3

TWO WOMEN FINED

BOOKMAKING CHARGES

Two married women were convicted of bookmaking by Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today. Josephine Miller, 38, * admitted to detectives that she had laid off £25 in bets shortly before they arrived on Saturday afternoon. She pleaded that she had three children to support, and received no assistance from her -husband, and had been bookmaking as an agent for the convenience of women friends for about the past three months. She was fined £15.

Detective-Sergeant E. Compton told the Court that when he and DetectiveSergeant Callaghan visited the home of the second defendant, Evelyn Mary Richards, 39, with a search warrant on Saturday they had difficulty in entering, and. the woman had run to various parts of the house while they were trying to get in. When they broke.a back window she opened the back door for them. She had an unlisted telephone, and admitted taking bets over the past three years. This defendant was also married with three children, said Mr. W. E. Leicester, who appeared for her. Her husband, who had before the war conducted a business of his own, was in a minor position in the Air Force, and this had represented a considerable financial sacrifice to the family. He submitted that there was little difference between this and the previous case.

"There is some difference between three months and three years," commented the Bench in inflicting a penalty of £25. Mr. Leicester also appeared for Lep Brooks, sharebroker and commission agent, 52, who was charged with carrying on the business of a bookmaker. "I have just been instructed," said Mr. Leicester, "and there are certain aspects of the case which require consideration, so I should like an adjournment for one week." The police offered no objection, and the adjournment was granted.