SUSSEX SENSATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 January 1926, Page 3

SUSSEX SENSATION.

JUDGE’S STRAIGHT TALK ADDS TO .MAXIMUM TERM. LONDON, Dec. IS. Hayley Morriss and bis wife Madtieine were both, found guilty at the Lewes Assizes to-day of conspiracy to procure young girls. Morriss was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and his wile to nine months. The jury, which was absent for half an hour found Morriss guiltv on ail twenty counts, and Madeleine guilty on ail counts except that relating to her own sister. Air. Justice Avory, in sentencing Hayley Alorriss, said: “You have no answer to the charges, and only resorted to subtle devices to avoid condemnation; but Nemesis has overtaken you. The maximum term is two years, but I order you to be imprisoned "for an additional year on the other counts. Further, you have used your wealth and position for the purpose of ensnaring gii'ls. and therefore must pay £IOOO sterling towards the costs of the case.” Addressing Madeleine Morriss, the Judge said that probably she had been, influenced, if not coerced, by the male prisoner. Nevertheless she had played a most disgusting part. Mrs. Morriss became serious when Mr. Justice Avory referred to her persuasion of various girls, and when sentenced .she fainted and collapsed on the floor. A warder carried her out.

The police evidence showed that she had been bound over in 1922 for stealing a £1 note when employed as a domestic servant She had been found gagged and bound, but admitted that she had tied herself up.

The Standard reveals that Morriss, who is a brilliant revolver shot and daring horseman, participated in the suppression of Chinese revolts, and assisted in the rescue of fifteen missioners whom the Chinese had captured. He joined a volunteer force that marched for a fortnight till it reached the bandits’ stronghold. The bandits attacked the party, brandishing knives, but Morriss, using a revolver at long range, crippled three of them. His solicitors are considering the question of lodging an appeal. Tlie Evening News states that Morriss was once married to an English girl in China, but she divorced him owing to his repeated journeys into the interior and to the development of the same eccentricity as was revealed at Pippingford Park.