JUDGE’S “GREAT ANXIETY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23885, 12 August 1939, Page 20

JUDGE’S “GREAT ANXIETY”

CANCELS GAOL SENTENCE v GAS OFFICIAL BOUND OVER <From Oub . Own Correspondent! '* LONDON, July 20. Mr Justice Croom-Johnson, after sentencing a man to six months in the second division, worried for days about it.. Had he taken sufficiently into account the jury’s recommendation to leniency? The case had; been heard at the Manchester Assizes. .. ? • William Ewart Plevin, deputy engineer at Southport Corporation Gasworks had been found guilty of conspiring to cause a gas examiner to make tests on speciallyrprepared gas, conspiring, to contravene the provisions of the Gas Undertakings Acts, conspiring to supply gas of low, calorific value and conspiring struct a-gas examiner. Mr Justice Groom-Johnson / said that the case had given him g-great deal of anxiety. He hoped he was not letting his feelings Interfere with his duty, but he was disposed to think that he did not pay sufficient attention to the recommendation of the jury. DutytothrPublic Mr E. G. Hemmerde. K.C., defending counsel, ‘ who referred to "the jury’s “ admirable ’’ rider, observed; “ It seems to me that if it had been drawn up by skilled lawyers it could hardly have covered what they wanted to say better.” The judge, to Plevin: On further reflection, I am rather disposed to think that some of the practices at Southport gasworks were not’ unknown elsewhere, and that this trial may have some effect in making people engaged in public occupations appreciate more fully than perhaps they do at present the duty they owe to the public at large, as well as to their immediate-em-ployers. ■ He said that he had read and reread the jury’s rider, and added: “Although I thought that I had dealt with you leniently, I have, satisfied myself I did hot deal with you as leniently as perhaps I ought.” The jury’s rider referred .to expressed the opinion that Plevin, during his short period at the gasworks, had endeavoured to do his best to improve conditions “ in spite of the apparent lack of co-operation of the chief engineer and severe opposition of many at these works, including particularly the four, chemists, and, unfortunately, contravened the law in so doing. . - * ■' . : Sentence was withdrawn ,by the judge, who bound Plevin oyer for 12 months in £25.