ROGUE AND VAGABOND.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 62, 10 October 1930, Page 4

ROGUE AND VAGABOND.

CLERGYMAN’S CONVICTION. John Patterson, aged 33, a clergyman, who said he was ordained in Australia, made an unsuccessful appeal to the London Sessions recently against his conviction and sentence of three months’ imprisonment as a rogue and vagabond. Patterson was arrested on July 11th following certain incidents in Rnmillies and Oxford Streets. Four police officers and a doctor gave evidence in support of the conviction.. Rev. David Morse, of All Saints’, High gate, said he and accused had lived together in Australia, and that Patterson was a thoroughly decentliving and decent-minded man. Patterson said he was the son of a Northumberland miner. He had educated himself by scholarships. After serving for two ySars in the Aimy he took up mission work with the Church Army and wont to Australia, where ho had a parish. Ho returned to England last year, after ins ordination as n deacon and priest. No complaint had been made against him previously. On, July 11th he wont for a walk with the object of tiring himself out, as ho had boeen suffering from insomnia. He denied that ho smiled at passers-by, or made a certain remark.

llev. Henry Hose, vicar of St. Mary's, Mnnstci Square, to whom Patterson had been appointed, gave evidence of his past good conduct. Sir Hcurv CnrN Dennett, Tv.C., on behalf of Pattm son pointed out that his career as a clergyman ended with his conviction. The f hurcli Army had offered to mid employment for him at Home, and eventually abroad. The Court upheld the conviction, but quashed the sentence and o derod Patterson’s release on two years’ probation.

The Magistrate remarked that Patterson was given a wonderful opportunity to rehabilitate himself.