The herald., 1898-02-16
GUILTY
In Hope Of Receiving Light
Punishment
THE JUDGE WAS HARDHEARTED
AND MADE THE PENALTY FIT
THE CRIME
MY Lord Neville Given Five rears
Penal Servitude for Frauds Prac-
ticed on His Friend
Associated Press Special Wire

e-~ee~u <Eos1 opecidl WHo
LONDON. Feb. 15.-In the Central
Criminal Court today Lord VIM. Ne.
Vile, fourth son of the Marquis of Aber-
gavenny. who was placed on trial.
charged with fraud In connection with
the suit OF Sam" Lewis, the money
lender. against Spencer Clay, to recover
G11.113. due on two promissory
notes, cashed by Lord Neville. pleaded
guilty Of fraud but claimed he was not
guilty Of forgery. He was sentenced
to five years penal servitude.
No celebrated case has ever before
brought such q fashionable crowd to
the Old Bailey. Broughams blocked the
approaches and ladies in their smartest
frocks overfiowed the jury box and bar
risters' seats.
Lady Neville was present. The pris-
oner was evidently Ill at ease. but he
answered to the indictment In clear
tones.
After the fiutter caused by his plead
ing guilty of fraud had subsided, the
prisoner was allowed to take seat in
the dock, as he ia recovering from Sc
rious illness. Prosecutor Matthews mar
rated the circumstances Of the fraud
as already known, and at the conclusion
of his remarks he intimated that he
would accept the prisoners plea as sat
isfying the requirements of justice.
Mr.. Lawson Walton pointed out that
Lord Neville has voluntarily come for
ward to face the consequences OF HIS
deception and has fully confessed. The
prisoner, counsel added, was In great
financial difficulties and had not real.
lied that he was committing q breach
OF the criminal law.
The prisoner, Mr.. Walton further said,
never intended that Lieutenant Clay
should suffer. He believed the securities
would remain in the hands of Mr.. Sam
Lewis until he secured money elsewhere.
Mr.. Walton's effort at extenuation was
applauded by the spectators.
Prosecutor Matthews again arose, and
adverting to the statements regarding
Lord Nevilles illness, which has been
ascribed to over-indulgence in morphia,
said this had prevented the prisoner
from making an arrangement with Mr..
Lewis in regard to the notes, and thus
obviating the present prosecution. He
said that Lord Neville's other debts to
Mr.. Lewis amounted to 10000 when the
notes were signed.
Here Mr.. Walton interposed the re-
mark: II believe the e70.000 has been
paid"
Judge Lawrence summed up sternly,
but with q voice which shook, and at
times almost broke with emotion. The
Judge said
"In my opinion, the crime Is as great
as though the prisoner had abstracted
the sum from Lieut. Clay's pocket, or
had burglarized Mr.. Lewis office and
stolen 1t. II 1t had been some wretched
clerk with wife and seven children who
had incurred a heavy loss and helped
himself at his masters till, I am afraid
there would have been no one to speak
in extenuation. but the higher position
the person holds the higher his RESPONSE
bility.
II am sorry to say have looked in
vain for extenuating circumstances. 1t
is as bad case of fraud as it is possible
to conceive. You have brought shame
and dishonor upon an ancient and noble
family, sir, and sorrow and suffering
upon your nearest and dearest. Your
crime is great and ysur sentence must be
severe. 1t ia that you be kept in penal
servitude for Ave years."
The prisoner was hurried off to New
gate prison, where he was allowed an
interview with his wife and another
lady. After the interviews, Lord Neville
was removed to wormwood Scrubbs
prison.
The prisoners face did not evince
much surprise at the severity of his
sentence, but his unsteady gait, on leav-
ing the prisoners dock, showed that he
had been hard hit.
The sentence caused a great sensa-
ton among those present in court ana
many Of the ladies broke into sobs.