AMATEUR HOLDUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 8 April 1925, Page 10

AMATEUR HOLDUP.

"A MASKED BANDIT."

" YOUR MONEY—ALL YOU'VE GOT." CONSTABLE ASSAULTED, tlty Telegraph.—Special to "Star. , )

CHHISTCHURCH, Tuesday

It might have been thought that the (lavs of hold-ups were passed, but one— mi" amateurish one occurred in Manchester Street below the level of the road last evening. According to two men in the Magistrate's Court, to-day the "masked bandit" was William John McMullin. and he uniiearwl before Mr. W.vvern Wilson, S.M. Senior-Sergeant F. Lewin proseC "The clinrgn was that: In Manchester Street William John MeMullin behaved in si disorderly fasliiou. and assaulted Constable Wiitenson while in the execution of his duty. The accused said that, by reason of having had too much drink, he did not know what he was doing. 11<: pleaded not guilty. William Siinwk said that about <>->0 p.m. lie was having a drink with a man named Opie in a certain place in Manchester Street. The accused rushed in and shouted: -Hands up and your money: all you've got!" Witness "swiped"' at the accused and then chased him for about thirty yards. When witiies.s enught accused he held him until a constable arrived. "Me. appeared to have something in his hand."' said the witness to the Magistrate, when asked if he thought the accused had the full meaning behind his threat. "Did he run like a man who is drunk?" "No sir, - ' replied the witness. '"How many drinks had you had?' , "Xone at the time. We were just about to open the bottle when he rushed in."

Senior-Sergeant F. Lewin: Was his face hidden in any way?

"Up seemed to have a mask on, but he pulled it ofT when I chased him. He wanted mo to go out in the middle of the road, threatening to knock my head off."

Continuing, the witness said that there was no struggle when McMullin was arrested, and he went away quickly with the constable.

"It was a very bold robbery then,"' remarked the Magistrate.

Constable Cruickshank said that'he w"s on heat duty in the vicinity, and was called by Sincock, who said he had been held up. The accused was drunk, and the other men had had a few drinks. He nrrested McMullin who, when being searched at the police station, struck the watchhouse keeper.

"I was struck very forcibly myself and I don't remember having struck the constable," interjected the accused.

"Did a policeman strike you?" asked the Magistrate. "I don , know," was the reply. ''But there are marks all over my face."

"You seem to have a bad eye," said the Magistrate.

The next witness was Frank Opie. who was to share the beer. He corroborated the evidence given by Sincock.

"It' seems like a drama that has been rehearsed," interposed the accused.

Constable Waterson said that he was on duty at the watchhouse when the aeeused was brought in. When a search was made McMullin hit witness on the mouth with a clenched fist. When witness was asked to show the mark and did so, the Magistrate remarked that it seemed no more than if a bump had been received.

"T believe this is tire constable I have to thank for the condition of mv face." said the irrepressible accused. "Not only that, but he called mc a name I would not call anyone."

The Magistrate said that the accused had a list of previous convictions, and it was rather a bad one. covering theft and larceny —on several occasions in Woolwjch, Kent, and Sydney. He was quite an undesirable kind of man to have in the city. He would be sentenced to one month's imprisonment on the disorderly conduct charge. He did not consider the accused's other offence was a very serious one, and the charge would be dismissed.