GUILTY PLEA REFUSED

Evening Star, Issue 17084, 1 July 1919, Page 3

GUILTY PLEA REFUSED

PRISONER ACQUITTED IN SPITE OP HIMSELF. The fairness of British justice has sel dom heeu more strikingly exemplified than during a ease at Maryle’one on April 7, in which Edward Horace Winter, of Cambridge place, Paddin 'ton, was hcarged with stealing a piece of beof from the Home and Colonial Stores. He had £8 8s Big! in his nodeet when arrested, and had the meat under his coat “W1 latever made me do it I don’t know,” he told the Magistrate. “I took the meat, but I was under th© influence of drink.” The witnesses and the police agreed that he was, .and Detective-sergeant Hadlaw added that the man bore an excellent character. Asked if he pleaded guilty, the accused said he must, because he took the meat. “ But yon say you were under the influence of drink,” said the Magistrate. “Do you still plead guilty ” “Well. I must” he replied. The Magistrate (Air Mead) : “ But if you took the meat while you were walking in your sleep, would you then plead guilty?" “It amounts to the sanie thing, answered the prisoner. Air Mead: “ Then you plead guilty to bpi’n a ihiof?" “I must,” said the prisoner. Mr a.e.id : " vVeJ, I shall take it as not guilty, in spite of your plea, and on that you are discharged; but for being drunk yon must pay 10s, and 10s costs. ”