MAN'S SAD DOWNFALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21648, 19 May 1932, Page 14

MAN'S SAD DOWNFALL

BRILLIANT CAREER WRECKED NINE MONTHS IN PRISON. ‘'A brilliant man, who has had every oppprtunity in life, but he cannot be trusted in any way with the responsibilities of other people’s money, or even his own, which, I believe, he spends in a lavish manner.” When Thomas Habgood Hudson, aged 43, described as an actor, pleaded guilty in a London court to driving away a motor car without the consent of the owner, Detective Sergeant Donald Fish made this statement in reference to him. Hudson also requested that a second similar offence and the theft of a cheque book should be taken into consideration. Sergeant Fish added that Hudson had been three times convicted. In 1918 he was sentenced for stealing a wallet; in June, 1921, he was dealt with for fraudulent conversion; and in June, 1930, he was bound over for stealing a motor car. “Apart from these convictions,” stated the officer, “ he has a remarkable record. He enlisted in the Army Service Corps in August, 1914, and served until March, 1915, when he was given a commission in the Royal Engineers. He served in that corps in a mining company until December, 1915, when he was discharged as medically unfit, through injuries received during an explosion of a mine. “ Hudson re-enlisted in March, 1910, in the same corps, and served overseas until February, 1918, when he was again discharged as medically unfit. About this time his father, who was well known in theatrical circles in Australia, died and left him a large sum of money, which he invested in a motor business at Bournemouth. It was a failure, and he lost the whole of hia capital. “A CHANCE TO GO STRAIGHT.” “In 1922 Hudson became acquainted with Mr Lewis Casson and his wife. Dame Sybil Thorndike, and he was responsible for the stage management of their productions. He remained with them for some years, and Mr Casson had the highest opinion of him. Mjr Casson served in the army with Hudson, and at the time of hie first engagement with them Mr Casson knew of his convictions and gave him a n opportunity of going straight.” “ Since that time,” Sergeant Fish proceeded, “ Hudson has been engaged as stage director with many theatrical productions in London. He was responsible for the stage management of ‘Journey’s End,’ and was engaged there from January, 1929, until the end of the run in April, 1930. During the whole of that time he was earning £ls a week, and in addition he received producing fees from his employers, Messrs Maurice Brown, Limited. “l n spite of this salary, when ho left the firm in 1930 it was found that of the moneys he held on their behalf for use in the production about £7O was missing, and he failed to account for it. In addition, he had borrowed £l9O, and this had not been returned. He was responsible for the production on tour in England of the same play, and acted as one of the characters during the year. ANOTHER DEFICIENCY. “ Hudson also went on the Continent, and he was responsible for the production in Germany and other countries. In December, 1930. he was appointed stage director of the ‘ Chelsea Follies,’ which was a most successful revue at the Victoria Palace, at a salary of £ls a week, but there again there was a deficiency of money at the conclusion. He was allowed to act in the same capacity during the tour at a similar wage, but half his salary was deducted to make up for the missing money. It had all been repaid when the run finished. “ I am informed that Hudson is regarded by some of the most eminent stage producers as one of the best stage managers in London, but he cannot be trusted with money. He has admitted to me that as soon as he finds himself without money to spend he resorts to crime. Ho lias even sunk so low as to steal by snatching a lady’s handbag.” On behalf of Hudson counsel suggested that his brain was affected as the result of his army experiences, and he did these things when he found himself oftt of employment. The magistrate said that it was an amazing thing that a man with such a wonderful record should have to stand in the dock and admit these offences. Everything seemed to have been done for him; he had brains and intelligence, and a large number of friends. He ordered Hudson to undergo nine months’ imprisonment.