AN ODIOUS THEFT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18943, 14 February 1925, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ODIOUS THEFT.

RING FROM DEAD WOMAN. A Russian has been convicted at a London Court, of stealing ' a ring from the finger of his friend's dead wife. Hyj man Cohen, a traveller, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for the theft, | and recommended for deportation. ( oh en and a Louis Schwartz, were formerly friends. When Schwartz's wife died "Cohen went to the secretary of the Burial Society for the Federation of Synagogues and said Schwartz had sent him lo get the wedding ring from her finger. The secretary refused to give :t np°without a letter from Schwartz. Cohen then brought a letter purporting to be signed by Schwartz, asking that the ring should be given to the bearer. The ring was given up, and next day Cohen pawned it for 18s. ,11- \ detective stated that Cohen had already been deported, and had returned as a stowaway in 192,3. He was later sentenced, and again ordered to be deported, but when he had finished his sentence •Coiie.n saw the secretary of the J Russian Trade, Delegation in New Bond I Street, who aslled if he would fill up the form of application for Soviet citizenship Cohen refused, saying that after his treatment. at. the hands of the Bolsheviks in 1920 he did not wish to return to Russia. The secretary then said that, under these I circumstances he was unable to assist any further. ■ Deputy Chairman (Mr. Lawrie): Uo I understand that, nowadays, before an alien who has come here from Russia can lie deported he has to become a Soviet citi'/ien ?" Witness: " Yes, as far as I know." Mr. Lawrie: " 1 am not surprised so 1 many of them stay here." Cohen declared that, he was willing to go to any country except Russia. Mr. Lawrie remarked that ho was not ■ there to punish Cohen for the horrible character that his offence disclosed. The circumstances of the case were as disgusting as could possibly be. lie hoped that 1 when Cohen was deported this time his consent would not. be asked before he was taken away.