HONOUR VINDICATED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20274, 7 April 1934, Page 24 (Supplement)

HONOUR VINDICATED.

Man Who Went to Gaol 19 Times.

MAIDSTONE, March 3. A GIRL—2I years of age, with the fair complexion and clear eyes of one who lives in the country—listened in stony silence at the assizes here as a jury found her guilty of perjury. Behind her a man slumped to the floor in a dead faint.

He was John James Smith, the young man who had suffered for, two and a half years because of that perjury. The girl—Sophie Mary Agnes Batchelor, of Rainham—had accused him of being the father of her child. The per jury related to evidence she had given against him when an order was sought. He went to gaol nineteen times rather than pay. Then he instituted perjury proceedings. Smith’s mother ran to his aid. Three officers carried him from the co tft. A few seconds later he returned, pale and still breathing heavily. He spoke hurriedly to his solicitor The solicitor carried his message to his counsel, Mr J. D. Cassels, K.C., M.P. That message instructed him to plead for mercy for the girl in the dock. Counsel obeyed faithfully. In Smith’s name he presented the girl to the Judge’s leniency. The Judge (Mr Justice Roche) considered deeply for some seconds. Then he spoke slowly. Smith has been generous. I should »e doing wrong if I passed over a case without some imprisonment. “ But it shall be a very different sen2Rce from the one I would have passed the girl had not shown some repentice and but for Smith’s generosity. “It may seem trifling—but the sendee shall be six weeks’ imprisonent.” Miss Batchelor heard it outwardly ’imoved, and walked unaided to the •11s below. Afterwards Smith spoke to a renter. He was clearly upset. “ I am glad/’ he said, “ that she was not more heavily punished. Could I have had my way she would have been bound over. “ That would have satisfied me. “For myself, I feel that at last I have had justice. That was all I wanted.”