SPORTING SENSATION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2075, 16 March 1922, Page 5

SPORTING SENSATION.

CAPTAIN - PEEL IMPRISONED. WIFE SHELTERS BEHIND ARCHAIC LAW. [By Electric Cable —Copyright.) [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, March 14. Mrs Peel was acquitted, Mr Justice Darling holding the doctrine tha when a woman committed a crim< like this in the physical presence o her husband, the law prescribed tha she acted under his coercion. Peel was sentenced to twelv< months’ imprisonment in the secouc division. (Received Wednesday, S p.m.) There was a fashionable crowd ii Court to witness the end of the Poe case. After the conclusion of tin evidence for the prosecution, Mr Jus tice Darling said the doctrine o coercion went back to the times o Canute, but it -was no longer in ac cordance with the facts of life. I was absurd to say no woman dar contradict her husband. Neverthe less, he was bound to apply this doc - trine to Mrs Peel. With a happ; smile the accused tripped out of th dock and took a seat beside her fathe and mother, Sir Robert and Lady Jar dme, while the husband was brough ■ into the dock. Several officers gav evidence of Peel’s bravery, stating h : captured six Germans single-handed. ; Mr Justice Darling said the fraui had placed Peel outside the pale o gentldmqn. It was right that his pun ishment, direct and indirect, shouh bo heavier than poor peoples’, as In was under no real temptation.