OVERCOME WITH JOY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12393, 12 March 1926, Page 8

OVERCOME WITH JOY

AFTER BEING ACQUITTED BARONESS TRIED FOR THEFT CARRIED OUT OF COURT By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reoeived March 10, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. • Charged with the theft of a miniature valued at £SOO belonging to Sir Archibald Hamilton, Baroness OstenSacken, a Russian, was acquitted In defence she indignantly denied the theft, and repeated that Sir Archibald Hamilton presented it to her. The judge, summing up, declared that it was unpleasant to nave to try a woman of gopd character and personal attraction. When the jury returned the verdict the Baroness, overcome with joy, ran from one end of the dock to the other, ran away from tfie wardress, rushed to the jury box, and animatedly thanked the jurors in French. Tire husband van

towards her and embraced her, while the French witnesses practically earned her out of the court where she was joined by lady friends, who rushed excitedly down the corridor, all laughing hysterically.

Baron and Baroness Osten-Sacken had been guests at tea with the Hamiltons. Sir Archibald showed them his art collections. After their departure the miniature was missed. The couple was arrested when alighting from the beat train at Southampton, and the miniature was found ir. the possession of the Baroness, who is described as a charming woman. She alleged that when she was TookTng over the collection she admired the miniature, whereupon Sir Archibald said :“Ymi really like it, Baroness?” and thrust it into her hand, adding: ‘‘Then it’s yours.” The baronet denied the story, adding .that he might have been a Don Juan in his youth, but he was older and wiser now.

The Baron was acquitted, and the Baroness committed for trial.