The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-16
Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for
SwindlinE n Money Lender and
Tricking am Army Officer.
PUBLIC CLAMOR APPRAISED
THE TITLED ENGLISH "FRAUD"
SCORED BY JUDGE LAWRENCE.
Review of "a Case That Has Attracted
Grent Interest in AristOcratic Cir
cIes and London Clubs.

LONDON, Feb. 15.-In the Central GRIM
inal Court to-day, Lord William NeVlli,
fourth son of the Marquis of AbergaVenny,
who was placed on trial, charged with
fraud in connection with the suit of sam
Lewis, the money lender, against Lieut.
Spencer Clay, to recover GLIB due on two
promissory notes casLed by Lord Nevill,
pleaded guilty of fraud, but claimed he was
not guilty Of forgery. lie was sentenced 10
five years penal servitude.
No celebrated case has ever before
brought such fashionable crowd TO the
Old Bailey. BroughaaQs blocked the APP
proaches and ladies in their smartest froeks
overlooked the jury box and the barristers
seats Lady Nevill was present. The pris-
oner was evidently i'll at ease, but he an
swered to the indictment in clear tones
After the flutter caused by his pleading
guilty TO fraud had subsidized, the prisoner
was allowed to take a seat in the dock, as
he is recovering from a serious Illness
Prosecutor Matthews narrated the circum-
stances of the fraud as already known, and
at the conclusion of his remarks he inti-
mated that he would accept the prisoners
plea as satisfactory to the requirements of
Justice.
Mr. Lawson Walton, in extenuation,
pointed out that Lord Nevill had voluntar-
lily come forward to face the consequence
of his deception and had fully confessed
The prisoner, counsel added, was in great
financial difficulties and had not realized
that he was committing a breach OF the
criminal law. The prisoner, Mr.. Walton
further said never intended that Lieut.
Clay should suffer. He believed that the
securities would remain in the hands of
Mr. Sam Lewis until he found money
elsewhere Mr. Waltons effort at extenua-
ton was applauded by the spectators.
Prosecutor Matthews again arose, and,
a6verting to the statement regarding Lord
Nevill's illness which had been ascribed
to over-indulgence in morDha, prevented
the prisoner from making arrangements
with Mr.. Lewis in regard to the notes and
thus obviating the present prosecution, he
said that Lord NevilPs other liabilities to
Mr.. Lewis amounted to $4,000 when the
notes were signed.
Here Mr.. Walton interposed, remarking
II believe the whole G7O,O 900 has been paid
Judge Lawrence summed up sternly, but
with voice which shook and at times al
most broke with emotion. The judge said :
In my opinion, the crime is as great as if
he had distracted the sum from Lieutenant
Clay pocket or rad DurglarlZed Mr..
Lewis's office and had stolen it. If it had
been some wretched clerk with seven chill
dren who had incurred a heavy loss and
had helped himself at his masters TILL
am afraid there would have been no one to
speak in extenuation, but the higher posi-
ton the person holds the higher his re-
sponsiblities. L am sorry to say 1 have
looked in vain for eXtenuating circum-
stances. 1t is as bad a case of fraud as it
is possible to conceive. You have brought
shame and dishonor on an ancient and no.
BILE family and sorrow and suffering on your
nearest and dearest. Your crime is great
and yC1r sentence must be severe. 1t is
that you be kept in penal servitude for FIVE
years"
The prisoner was hurried off to Newgate
prison, where he was allowed to have an in
terview with his wife and another lady
After the interview Lord Nevill was re-
moved to Wormwood Scrubs prison. The
prisoners face did not evince much surprise
at the severity of his sentence, but his I'M
steady gait leaving the prisoners dock
showed that he had been hard hit The
sentence caused a great sensation among
those present in court, and many of the la
dies there broke out sobbing.