GAOL PREFERRED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20022, 12 February 1927, Page 9

GAOL PREFERRED.

MENTAL HOSPITAL DISLIKE PRISONER’S VIGOROUS CHOICE. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 11. Anything, in the opinion of Mary Sheedy, is preferable to a second sojourn at the mental hospital, oven gaol. Sheedy, who is 45 years of age, made her choice in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when charged with loitering and importuning paissetrs-by in Madras street and with being idle and disorderly in that she was found in a house in Tuam street in company with persons who had no visible lawful means of support. She pleaded not guilty to both charges. Sheedy vigorously denied the charges, but could not refute the evidence. The Magistrate (Mr E. D. Mosley): Is there anything about this woman’s mentality?” Senior Sergeant Martin: She had been in a mental hospital. The Rev. P. Reyell: I have'seen this woman while visiting the asylum. She was discharged as cured. The Magistrate: Cured? Mr Revell; As a matter of fact 1 have seen her in the worst part of the mental hospital. However, it is not unusual for people to be cured in such establishments. The Well, the question is what is the-best thing to be done with this woman. Sheedy: I was chred, sir. 1 never ought to have gone there at all. I’d sooner go to gaol than go there again. The Magfetrate: You would? Very well you are sentenced to three mouths’ imprisonment with hard labour on the first charge. The charge of being idle and disorderly is dismissed.