THE WORTHINGTON CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12972, 13 November 1902, Page 2

THE WORTHINGTON CASE.

SENTENCING THE PRISONER. SEVEN YEARS’ HARD LABOUR. Arthur Bentley Worthington appeared in Lie dock at- the Criminal Court at Melbourne, on Oct. 31, to receive sentence on the four charges of having obtained money or valuable-. security from Miranda May de le Juveney, by means of false pretences. The prisoner appeared wearied When lie came slowly up the steps from the dock from, the apartments below, where he had been awaiting his turn with the other men convicted during the sittings. As he looked round the Court at the body of interested spectators tho Associate asked the usual question : “ Have you now anything to say why sentence of this Court should not be passed upon you according to the law ?” Worthington, speaking in a low, even voice, replied: “I had thought, your Honor, I would mention three things to you in the hope that these might mitigate the sentence about to be passed .upon me. The first is that I would ask you to remember that during the last fifteen months my health has been seriously impaired.” On this he. paused for a moment, and, proceeding, in broken tone, said : “ The second is that your Honor might do so out of consideration for my poor wife and little children,” the last words lingeringly with a sob. “And, lastly, I ask that your Honor will remember that I have been in- prison for two months now.” He- paused, and added, with effective effort-, “ I .may say that my wife yesterday sent me her forgiveness for all that has been revealed at- the trial.” Again the prisoner choked a sob. and continued, “And asked mo to mention this. That is all I have to say.” And ho stood with bowed bead, wiping his eyes, to await the judgment of the Court. Air Justice Holroyd, in delivering . sentence said: “Arthur Bentley^Worthington, you have been convicted on four different charges of obtaining money or valuable security by false pretences, and the evidence discloses some very disgraceful conduct on your part. It was a very bad case, indeed, and I must say that I look upon you as one of the most dangerous impostors that ever came into this country. The sentence, of the Court upon you is that for the first two of these crimes you be imprisoned and kept nt hard labour in his Majesty's Gaol’at Alelbourne, or at such other gaol as his Excellency the Governor may -appoint, for a period of eighteen calendar months on each charge, and for each of the two last crimes two years with hard labour, such sentences to be cumulative, making seven rears in a!!-”

Prisoner gazed almost absently at his Honor, but at the touch of the warder turned slowly, and with faltering steps disappeared. A few minutes later he was escorted to the gaol van. He played to the gallery to the last, walking with a slow and dignified step, every movement displaying the accomplished actor that- he has proved himself to be throughout a remarkable career. He was Accommodated with a seat in the portion of the van partitioned off for female prisoners, and in this way, was kept from his companions in crime.