A BLACKGUARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16569, 5 June 1914, Page 7

A BLACKGUARD.

JUDGE’S SCATHING COMMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Jun© 4, 8.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jun© 4.

On March 7 a young woman named ALico Mabel Ranken walked, into the shop of Hagons, tailors, in King Street, and fired four shots at an employee named Gilbert Irving, two striking him and causing serious injuries. Tho girl then fired two shots at her own breast but she recovered in the hospital. To-day tho girl was acquitted on a charge of wounding wrfch. intent to murder. Tli© evidence showed that Irvine was separated from his wife and that certain relations had existed between him and tho girl Ranken for a considerable timo.

Tho girl gave evidence that she did not know that Irvine was a married man. After deceiving her ho promised to marry her, prepared for tho wedding and lent her money. Irvine denied that he promised marriage and declared that tho girl had attempted to ©xtort money. Accused’s counsel pleaded that at the timo of the shooting she was labouring under an insane impulse. The Judge in a scathing summing up characterised Irvine as a blackguard, even worse, but bad as his conduct had been it did not justify the shooting. If tho jury considered that accused’s mind at tho timo of the shooting was not under proper control they would acquit.