WINDOW SMASHED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 127, 1 June 1938, Page 5

WINDOW SMASHED.

ELDERLY MAN'S ACT. REMANDED FOR SENTENCE. As soon as he was discharged from the Auckland Hospital this morning Robert James Hamer, aged 09, was brought before Mr. C. R. Orr Walkei, S.M., in the Police Court, on a charge of mischief by wilfully damaging a plate glass window valued at £12 8/8, the property of W. K. Tugby. Hamer pleaded guilty. ; At 10.55 on the night of May 1, eaid ! Detective-Sergeant McHugli, a plate glass window in a jeweller's shop in , Karangaliape Road was shattered by a • half brick which was found inside the window. The aceuscd, who cut one of ■ his wrists rather badly, was found . nearby and was arretted and taken to the hospital where he remained until '■ this morning. "It looked like a ; deliberate attempt to rob the jeweller's • window." said Mr. McHugli. "He says ' he took nothing, but one watch was : found to be missing." [ In a statement made in hospital to : Detective Clements. Hamer said he was formerly a ship's fireman, but had to give up this occupation nine years ago owing to failing eyesight. On the night of May 1 he had had no food and had been walking about - the streets. Hamer said he remembered picking up a brick on a ' vacant section, wrapping it in brown paper and pushing it through the window. but lie could not recall why he broke the window. Ho added that he often got headaches. He had no friends or relatives in New Zealand, and until Easter he had been working near Wellsv ford. ' The magistrate told him that he could . only come to the conclusion that Hamer l.ed broken * ! 'e wu.dow for th" purpos" of' taking th? jewellery. He could - hardly su"?rest he was'not responsible for his actions. Hamer was remanded until next Wednesdav for sentence. 'T will get a i, report from the probation officer to seo if anything can be done for you," said '' "Mr. Orr Walker.