SCENE IN COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

SCENE IN COURT

SENTENCED MAN'S OUTBURST! SMELLING SALTS FOR JURORS After the Common-Sergeant, Mr. HoI« man Gregory, K.C., bad passed sentence on three there was a dramatic scene in the dock at the Old Bailey; recently, when Abraham Whitesman, aged 38, estate agent, was found guilty, of receiving four diamonds and a diamond bracelet, knowing them to have been stolen, and assisting in the disposal of the goods, Joseph Saunders,wireless dealer, and Edwin Wilcock, chef, pleaded guilty to breaking into a' dwelling house at Cricklewood and stealing four Tings and other articles. The case concerned the sale of jewellery worth £3500, stolen from the house of Mr. Maurice Marcel, a court costumier, of Walm Lane, Cricklewootl. :

It was stated that Whitesman introduced Saunders, in the name of Schneider, ta a jeweller in Hatton Garden.They produced four diamonds and a bracelet, which Saunders explained belonged to a woman who had given him the valuables to sell on her behalf, and she was willing to accept £IOOO for, them. . ■

The jeweller asked for written authority, and Saunders returned with a letter purporting to give the required authority. The jewels were then bought for £IOOO. Whitesman received £l5O aa commission from the jeweller, and £IOO from Saunders and Wilcock.

Remarking that there were occasions when he had to "be severe, the CommonSergeant declared that Saunders and Wilcock would each go to penal servitude for five years, and Whitesman' would receive a sentence of 12 months*' hard labour.

Immediately he heard his sentence* Saunders threw himself to the floor of tho dock. When raised by two warders he struggled furiously, and was carried bodily down the stairs leading to the cc-lls, lashing out with his feet. He screamed, " I shall die. I shall die," and his shrieks could be heard coming from the cells below."

At the sapie time a woman in courb became hysterical, and shouted to the judge, " You cannot do it." She was carried screaming from court. Two women jurors, affected by the scene, were given smelling salts before proceeding with the next case.