A REMARKABLE APPEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 11

A REMARKABLE APPEAL.

CONVICT AND A JUDGE. "NO CHANCE OF WORK." A remarkable plea of an old convict marked the end of the trial at the Old Bailey recently of Arthur Mitchell, aged 63, described as a traveller, who was charged with inciting a postman driver to insert the time of posting on a stamp purporting to be an official post office stamp with intent to defraud. " What chance have I of obtaining employment ? Not a dog's chance," said Mitchell, after he had been found guilty. "I served every hour of my sentence.of five years' preventive dentention without any remission, although I was prison librarian and worked well and my conduct was exemplary. I was discharged from Camp Hill with only one shilling and two packets of Woodbines from tho Government. " I left prison an embittered man, knowing the hopelessness of an old lag ever getting on his feet again. I ask you, My Lord, to put yourself -in my place ? No one will give a man employment when he leaves prison. He mighf. as well remain there." The Recorder (Sir Ernest Wild, K.C.): You ask me to put myself in your place.. Put yourself in my place. What would you give me if I were where you are ? Mitchell: I would give a man another chance in spite of his career. Tho Recorder imposed a sentence of nine months' imprisonment. Mitchell: May I thank you, My Lord? In cross-examination Mitchell agreed that he had been convicted 13. times for fraud, theft, false pretences, and as an habitual criminal, the sentences including two terms of penal servitude, one followed by five years' preventive detention.