THE DRUCE CASE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11249, 13 April 1908, Page 2

THE DRUCE CASE.

TH'E CONSPIRACY. (Press Assn.— By Telegraph.— Copyright.) LONDON. April 11. The trial of Mary Robinson for perjury m connection with the Druce case has concluded. Mr Avory, K.C., dieclared that the offence was the worst possible, and was due solely from sordid motives. Mr Marshall Hall, for the defence, pleaded that the prisoner had been cruelly and wickedly duped. She -was ,1 mere puppet m the hands of thejmaster who was guiding tlie conspiracy/ Her crime Was indefensible, and lie asked for leniency only m view of the special circumstances connected with tlie case.Mr Justice Walton said he did not wish to maJce any imputation against any particular individual. In relation to the prisoner lie was satisfied she was tempted to .commit .perjury. -He emphasised the very serious mischief arising from tlie promotion of companies for the adopting and maintaining of shadow ; claims for property, and ; tlie willingness of a public of infinite credulity to contribute money to such a scheme. -Be commented on the institution of criminal proceedings. In support of so monstrous a claim, he added that Mxs Robinson was only acting, doubtless, on pressure. She yielded to temptation, , and her age was the only mitigating circumstance weighing with him. Otherwise he wouldi have imposed the maximum sentence of seven years. He sentenced tlie prisoner to four years' imprisonment.