"LOT OF NINNIES"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

"LOT OF NINNIES"

Convicted Man's Outburst from Dock

IN a„ statement from the dock after ho had been found guilty of conspiracy, a man accused tho Common Sergeant at the Old Bailey, London, of winking at the jury, and described the jury as "a lot of ninnies."

Giving evidence on provious convictions against Russell, Divisional Detec-tive-Inspector Hawkyard said: "So far as 1 can ascertain Russell has received since 1929 as a result of his fraudulent schemes a total of over £3600 from persons, mostly women, who could ill afford to lose the money. "Ho adopts an arrogant attitude to everybody, is domineering, especially with women, impertinent, and at times offensive in his address. He has no respect for the law or persons associated with it." , Russell, leaning over tho rail or the dock, spoke -rapidly for about 20 minutes. "Poisoned Minds" Pointing to a man sitting in the barrister's benches, he exclaimed, "There's a man sitting thero peripatetic —lie is fallowing ine round. On two occasions ho has tried to get at members of the public to givo false evidence against mo. Ho has poisoned the minds of tho Brighton Corporation against me." Pointing to some of the witnesses at tho back of tho court, he then said, "I say tho police have been poisoning the minds of these people here. You say 'theso deluded people.' Their only friend in this court is myself, and they know it. They know 1 am the only person in the position to get their money buck "I have placed 4,000,000 men and women on tho industrial map by means of a trade union which they have thanks to me," Russell said.

Captain Fred Russell, nged 53, employment agency proprietor, and Mary Hanson, aged 38, manageress, were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud in relation to tuition for employment agency management and of obtaining money by false pretences with intent to defraud. Russell was sentenced to four years' penal servitudo and Hanson to 18 months' imprisonment. So frequently did Russell interrupt tho Common Sergeant, Mr. Cecil Whitelev, K.C., in his summing up that he directed a warder to tako Russell be-, low. As ho was being led away, Russell said, "It makes one's blood boil. ' Russell was later brought back to tho dock when tho jury had considered their verdict. Ho immediately said: I have no wish to be here. This is a perfect farce, and for you to attempt to direct tho jury is criminal in the light of what has happened. You have heard only one side of the story." When the foreman announced a verdict of guilty against Russell, the exclaimed, "He had no option. .

"Not a Grinning Pointing to the Judge, Russell exclaimed, "I charge him with winking at the jury. He can send me for 20 years. One of* His Majesty's judges has condescended to wink at the jury. llussell broke off a sentence and, t looking at a woman on the jury, said, "Mv word. There would have ;r/been nothing to grin at, madam. This is not a grinning matter." A juryman instantly stood up and, turning to the Common Sergeant, said, "On behalf of the jury, may 1 protest against this?" : . . . . llussell: 1 sav you are a lot of ninnies for not standing your ground. What a farce! , 't ■JT £?' Russell's final words were: *'Now do vour worst, my Lord. lam the better man of wo two. s? You ought to be ashamed 6f yourself." ' •