TRAIN ESCAPEE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 53, 4 March 1926, Page 10

TRAIN ESCAPEE.

PLEA OF NOT GUILTY. SENT TO SUPREME COURT. POLICE STOEY OF BEEAXAWAY. Thomas Smifb (29), who made such a sensational dash, from the Botorua express in the Newmarket tunnel last week, came before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., at the Police Court this morning, when he was charged with escaping from custody. Chief Detective Cummings prosecuted, while Mr. J. J. Sullivan appeared for Smith, who was handcuffed as he eat in the dock during the hearing of the evidence.

Constable Johnston, of Kotorua, eaid that he received the prisoner on the morning of February 23, for escort to Rotorua. Another prisoner named iloyne, and Smith were placed in a. reserved carriage on the Rotorua express. Senior Detective Hammond was also with witness. The doors of the carriage were locked, ami the handcuffs removed from Smith's wrist. On entering the tunnel Smith got up from the seat, stating that he wished to go to the lavatory. He was sitting alongside Moync in a double seat. Senior Detective Hammond sat opposite the two men, while witness was on the other seat. Witness followed Smith into the lavatory, and placed his foot in the door, but Smith slammed the door, locked it, then broke the window, and escaped, Witness and Senior Detective Hammond I tried to force the door.

Senior Detective Hammond said that when Smith asked to be allowed to visit the convenience, witness told Constable Johnson to go with him. A minute later the constable called out that Smith was breaking the window. Lifting up the window witness was just in time to see Smith fall on his face, between the carriage and the wall of the tunnel. Owing: to the doori of the carriage being locked, witness was unable to get out tintil Newmarket was reached, when he made his exit by means of the window. He ran back to the tunnel taking three surfacemen with him. The stationmaster followed with a lamp. Smith's blue overcoat was found about a chain inside the tunnel. Smith's tan boots were afterwards found in a house in Newton Place.

Constable C. W. Hobbs, attached to •the detective office, then detailed the arrest of Smith at Pokeno. Smith had £12 4/1 on him. At first he denied his identity.

Mr. Sullivan did not question any of the witnesses.

Smith reserve his defence, pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

Together with Joseph Moyne (30), a native of Tonga, Smith was jointly charged with stealing six gallons of benzine, valued at fl 13/6, at Taupo. Both accused were remanded on this charge, to appear at Rotorua on March 16.