"SILENT TOMBS OF PENAL SERVITUDE".

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 84, 25 June 1930, Page 6

"SILENT TOMBS OF PENAL SERVITUDE".

PLEA FOR MERCY. A dramatic scene occurred ;1 t Liverpool Assizes when an ox-convict, who appeared before Mr Justice Acton, rdlcd up liis sleeves and bared liis arm to show traces of wounds arising from four suicide attempts. He hurst into tears when lie pleaded with the judge, not to send; him back to the "silent tombs of penal servitude.'' The man. John Bent'm, aged fiftyfour years, who was accused of housebreaking and stealing two medals, saicl that bad just been released from' Broadmoor, where he bad done a long term. He added: 1 bave come out with no pocket money, no home, ancj no word from my wife and hey, whom 1 bave not seen for ten years. I have never bad a chance. T have been dragged down, trodden on, and: hounded from pillar to post, and nobody wants me. 1 am a nonentity in this life. If the people of Liverpool cannot bud work for their own men, bow can they find it for an ex-convict? I would be better off in my grave My character is as black as the nee of spades, but 1 hive some principles. Have mercy and don't, send me back t 0 the silent tombs of penal servitude. Mr Justice Acton said ;ti - nU though Benton bad; a bad 'record, the offence on ibis occasion was not a desperately serious one. Tie would be itencod to twenty months' imprisonment with hard labour. ftenton: Thank you. my lord.