BREACH OF PROMISE

Southland Times, Issue 19294, 12 July 1924, Page 5

BREACH OF PROMISE

JUDGE STOPS THE CASE. PROSECUTION MAY RESULT. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, July 10. The case in which Mrs Mendham, an American widow, sued Robert Lebaudy, multi-millionaire and sugar refiner, who is a brother of the self-styled “Emperor of the Sahara,” for £20,000 for breach of promise to marry, came to an abrupt termination to-day. Mrs Mendham gave evidence that she lived under Lebaudy’s protection, receiving £4OO monthly. She admitted that she abandoned her chance of making a livelihood as a singer, and succeeded in litigation over her late husband’s estate at Lebaudy’s request. Sir Edward Marshall Hall, for the defence, declared that the story was a tissue of falsehoods. He subjected the plaintiff to a severe cross-examination. Plaintiff ..d--mitted she had relations with defendant. Defending counsel stated that Lebaudy had never made her an allowance, but only gave small presents, of a total value of £250. Records were produced showing that the estate of the late husband was insolvent. After the jury had listened to the crossexamination of plaintiff, the Court stopped the case. The Lord Chief Justice said he would consider whether he would send the capers to the Public Prosecutor.