Heiress’s Last “Fling”

Southland Times, Issue 22816, 15 February 1936, Page 17

Heiress’s Last “Fling”

The story of a young woman who inherited £lO,OOO but—in the words of the registrar—got into bad hands, squandered all she had on a “fling” when she found herself in difficulties and is now working as a motor-van driver at 30/- a week, was told at the London Bankruptcy Court (states the Daily Mail). Miss Judith Elizabeth Dillwyn Sims applied for her discharge from bankruptcy. She was adjudged bankrupt in July, 1931, being described as late of Haverstock Hill, N., and formerly of Braintree, Essex, a poultry farmer. Mr C. Bruce Park, the Official Receiver, said that dividends amounting to 7/0j in the £ had been paid on proofs of debt totalling £987, and a further 2/6 in the £ was anticipated. In evidence Miss Sims stated that in October, 1929, she began a poultry farm. She borrowed £3OOO and repaid it when she became entitled to £lO,OOO under her mother’s will. Miss Sims attributed her insolvency to losses in the business, heavy law costs, and depreciation of stock and securities. Shortly after she entered into a partnership she went to Switzerland, she said, and her affairs were looked after by a solicitor’s managing clerk under power of attorney. On her return she found herself committed to the tenancy of the Braintree property, which she had previously rejected, and found that the proposition was hopeless. Her stock and effects were sold by auction, and she received £173, with which she went to the Continent, spending it all in a few weeks. Miss Sims explained that she was in a desperate frame of mind, tired of everything, did not care what happened, and was going to “have a little fling.” Suspending her discharge for one month, Mr Registrar Mellor said that it was a very unfortunate case. “This young woman, who had no experience, got into bad hands,” he remarked.