JUMP FROM TRAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 190, 14 August 1933, Page 3

JUMP FROM TRAIN.

INCIDENT AT MERCER. McKAY PLEADS GUILTY. " I WAS UNLUCKY." Henry William Charles McKay, aged 29, who startled the civic authorities at Christchurch a few weeks ago by promising to give large sums to the City Council as well as to charitable organisations, only to be later arrested and given six months' imprisonment, and who made a dash from the Main Trunk express at Mercer on August 5, when being transferred to Mount Eden Prison, appeared in the Police Court this morning on a charge of escaping from lawful custody.

Detective-Sergeant O'Sullivan prosecuted. McKay was not represented by counsel.

James Lionel Clayton, warder at Mount Eden Prison, said on August 4, with another warder, he was escorting McKay and two other prisoners from Wellington to Auckland. Witness at Wellington took charge of accused, who was en route from Paparua. On the morning of August 5 the express stopped at Merc'er about (i o'clock. Accused was sitting on the fourth seat from the front of the carriage, witness being behind him. McKay was on the outside of another prisoner. As the express pulled out of Mercer station, without warning McKay jumped up from his seat and ran out of the carriage door, which he slammed behind him. By the time witness got to the door the train was moving eo fast that he deemed it unsafe to jump off. On arrival at Pttkekohe he reported the matter.

Detective-Sergeant O'Sullivan: What was McKay's conduct like on the way up from Wellington?—lt was exemplary. He gave no indication that he would try to escape.

Detective T. W. Allsopp said ho left Auckland for Mercer on the morning of August 5, accompanied by Detectives Wilson and Miller, to search for McKay. At Mercer they joined Constable Olscn and searched for McKay until S p.m.. when accused was located in a relief camp about one mile on the Auckland side of Mercer. The condition of his clothing and shoes showed that he had been across country. On tho way to Auckland by car. McKay said. "I was unlucky that I did not get clean away. I intended to make across the country tonight." On arrival at the watch house, Auckland. McKay was charged with escaping from custody, and was placed in the cells.

McKay had nothing to say, except to plead guilty to the charge. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.