AN IMPUDENT PRISONER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 35, 26 September 1911, Page 2

AN IMPUDENT PRISONER.

“ONLY FOOLS AND HOUSES WOK K.” William Wind;; 11 aged 0(3, was charged at the Surrey Quarter Sessions ..t Kingston recontiv with stealing a pair al hoots. Asked by the clerk it i.e had anything to say, William remarked, “I would talk to a gentleman it 1 .net one, hut 1 would not talk to a tiling of your description.” Questioned as to ‘whether he had any witnesses to call, he said, ’They can go and drown themselves if they like.” When the lirst witness, a soldier, was called, Windall exclaimed, “The King is only a retired highwayman, by name Dick Turpin, and you (the witness) are one of his confederates.” Asked il ho wished to give evidence himself, he said, “I am here to bo judged, not to judge others.” Previous convictions having been proved against him, the accused observed; “J very seldom work. 1 am a tramp by profession; only fools and horses work. People live by their wits nowadays.” Turning to the chairman (Sir William Vincent), he said: “You try it later on and see.” A doctor from Brixton Prison said the man was not insane, but had a weakened intellect, and was capable if working. Sentence of live months’ hard labour was passed.