WEALTHY CONVICT HAS TIME OFF FOR A FEW “SPOTS”

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1947, Page 2

WEALTHY CONVICT HAS TIME OFF FOR A FEW “SPOTS”

SYDNEY, June 27.

The Sheriff of New South Wales, Mr R. O. Elliott, said that he is investigating a report that David Stewart Dawson, aged 24, company director, serving a 10-year gaol sentence for malicious wounding, spent five hours in the Supreme Court witness room yesterday, drinking whisky and champagne with a blonde girl and his father. Dawson came from Long Bay Gaol to the court to make a debt application. A press photograpger tried to take a picture of Mr Stewart Dawson, sen. as the party left the room. He was abused by Stewart Dawson sen., who is alleged to have torn open the photographer’s waistcoat. It is claimed that reporters saw Stewart Dawson, his father, and the girl ’sitting at a table in the male witness room. David Stewart Dawson was in the custody of a warder.

An inspection of the room after the party had left revealed scores of cigarette butts on the floor. Behind the door in an adjoining room were four champagne bottles ■ and one whisky bottle, all empty. When sentencing Dawson last December, Mr Justice Holt said that after Dawson had served two years a petition for his early release would be considered if his conduct in gaol had been good.