STRANGE CONFESSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 1 November 1921, Page 2

STRANGE CONFESSION

DISH ON EST Y ADM ITTE D

LIFE SENTENCE ASKED FOR

"Since I hoard a sermon of the Bishop of Christehiireh on Sunday, October 2nd, on (lie drcadfuhie.ss of sin 1 have been miserable and have had no peace of mind ever since. I shall go mad if I don't do something. I pmiiot continue in tliis disturbed state, so 1 must give myself up to justice." In these term;;, Frederick James Blandford Bennett concluded a confession of theft tor which he was 'committed at Christ, church o» Friday last to (he Supreme Court for sentence. _ _ The confession ran as follows :---" J.he enormity of .my sin, (he burdened conseieiKa'.' compel mo to surrender myself into voiir hand. For some tune past 1 havd" been living a double decertiui life." I cannot endure, (lie agony oi_ this guilty conscience any longer. Friends have placed every confidence m me. 1 liave abused that sacred trust and imsappropriated money to my own use. 'I !m confession goes on to say that lie revived £59 from one man, givnig_ a <nrarant.ee to pay him £IOO for an investment, covering a period <4 about two months. •'Tins is the only one of several whom 1 have deceived bv my lie I <4iing and dishonest actions, he nmiinues. "but above all, I hav c deceived one of the best, purest, and lUJ blcsf. of girls, who trusted and loved m „ p,,di„. !„,,. to believe I had monev <,f mv own when 1 had none, promising marriage, and a trip to' Engl«m«, , vhi ,, h in my heart 1 knew to be absoluto impossibility. 11ns trouble aJU I deception on my part 1 know wilt mlsh ,he very life out of tins poor rrirl and I appeal to friends and a Vmpatheiic public to feel for tins poor iiir! and help her in tins g eat trouble. I am guilty o all the badM ess possible-h rogue m every sen e () f ~l,e word, and not fit to be at li|,ertv to trade on the .confidence of a trusting public. I an, really not ieIponstbVfor my actions, a leart, and a disgrace to the o.nmun itv, and I tnust when sentence i meted t ;.t t«- me it,- will be one ot he, bo , iat I may never have an «PP^ again of defrauding people. 1 J-sk ioi £ lenienev or cons.den.tuin. wha soe e , " f ,.vc- that loving and eonsu era e feeing .be extended to this gvl, also hei dear father and motto-