WAITING SWEETHEART

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 11

WAITING SWEETHEART

EX-BORSTAL BOY'S VAIN PLEA "JUST ONE MORE CHANCE" THREE MONTHS IN PRISON. With tears streaming down his cheeks, an ex-Borstal boy, into whose life romance had entered, pleaded pitifully before the magistrate at Nelson, Lancashire, for another chance. Edgar Bradley, aged 20, pleaded guilty to five offences of stealing. He admitted that he had a black record, and did not expect much sympathy. "I have never appealed for myself before," said Bradley, " but I do earnestly plead for a Borstal boy's chance. I have a good mother and a good home, and I now have a good sweetheart who has brought real happiness into my life. We are preparing to get married after Christmas. " During the last seven years my life and my mother's life has been a living hell, and if you send me back to prison everything will end for me. I will never go home again, but will always be a rolling stone." Bradley related how he had made novelties and sold them on the streets since he was released from Borstal. "Please give me just one more chance," he pleaded, "and I am confident that I will not let you down again." The police stated that Bradley had a number of' convictions. He had been to an industrial school before going to Borstal, and had forfeited his Borstal license through beintt convicted on 12 charges of larceny. The present offences included theft of a bicycle and stealing money from the gas meter in the Police Court missioncr's house. The missioner expressed his regret that he could not give a good report about Bradley. He had been helped by the Borstal authorities, and witness himself had given him financial assistance.

In sentencing Bradley to three months' imprisonment, the presiding magistrate told him: "Your appeal has not ha 1 much effect with the magistrates. It is all very well you speaking of your mother, but you have had many opportunities to consider her interests. In view of your record we can do nothing else but send you to prison."