We here make no reference to the situation where the prosecutor or judge, or both, deliberately employ their charging and sentencing powers to induce a particular defendant to tender a plea of guilty.
What might at first sound like a tender plea on the part of a lover is gradually revealed to be the monologue of a psychopath, thought to be modelled on Austrian serial killer Jack Unterweger.
It would have been hard for the court of appeal to reverse a guilty plea, tendered at trial, by a woman of full age, legally represented and who, on Lord Judge's view, committed this crime.
Yet Gaskell's men prove as tender-hearted as women: the stories are a plea for humanity and flexibility, and mutual support.
Even Gerry Kelley - who bombed the Old Bailey in 1973 - issued a tender, plangent plea for Catholics with information to come forward.
Mr. Xia made a plea to have his name cleared after his death, and out spilled a cascade of tender words and apologies — until a guard began a haunting countdown.
Her lawyer, John McElroy, told the court: "I tender pleas of not guilty to the charges on the indictment on behalf of the panel". Bail was continued by the sheriff.
