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Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 197, 20 August 1940, Page 9

BACK TO BORSTAL

YOUTHFUL LABOURER.

FELONIOUS INTENTIONS.

A most unusual story concerning a youth of 10 and his companion, Allen Bruce Xaylor ("20), a labourer, who set out last Thursday night 011 a bagsnatching expedition and were smartly caught by the police half an hour after a woman reported the attempted theft of her handbag, was told to Mr. J. Morling, S.M., in the Police Court .yesterday afternoon. The youth,, who gave; evidence against Xaylor, will be dealt .with in the Children's Court. Xaylor was charged that 011, August 13 he was deemed to be a rogue and vagabond, in that, being a suspected per-' soli or reputed thief, he frequented Parnell Road with felonious intent. He pleaded not guilty. Detective-Sergeant Xalder prosecuted. Wore Red Gloves. A married woman, Jessie Winifred Inch, said sin? was walking along Parnell Road with another woman about 8 p.m. on Thursday night last, when someone came up behind her and grabbed her handbag. "'I saw two men." said witness. "The one who grabbed my bag was wearing a red glove. Both men had their hats pulled well down. 1 hung on to the handle of my handbag and it swung me round. The man then let go and started to run along Domain Drive. The incident occurred near the corner of Parnell Road and Domain Drive. They both ran away in a crouching manner." The youth told his story from the witness box. He said he and Xaylor worked in the same factory. Last Thursday Xaylor told him he had to get at least £2 to redeem his watch at a pawnshop. He said he would have to borrow the money. "Xaylor and I left my home at 7.3 p.m., and as we were walking along Newton Road we saw a woman with a child," continued the witness. "Allen said to me, 'Get that one.' He meant the handbag, but I " ould not do it. as she had a child with her. Going do\\n Khyber Pass Road we saw a sedan car. I opened the door and we sat in the front seat. Xaylor got a pair of lady's black kid gloves from a pocket in the car. When we left the ear he gave the gloves to me. We continued down Khyber Pass Koad and saw two women, each carrying a handbag. Xaylor said to me, 'Go and get those.' I walked up past one woman, but told Xaylor I wouldn't get that one." Attempt Unsuccessful. "Later, when we were in Parnell Road, we saw two women coming along. Xaylor said. 'There are some handbags over there.' We crossed over and walked behind the two women. I said to Xaylor, "\ou get one and I'll get the other." AA'e followed them to the corner of Domain Drive. We were each wearing a red glove, which came from the factory where we work. I bent down to get one handbag and caught hold of the bag. .Allen wouldn't get a handbag, and he ran behind me and down Domain Drive. I was unsuccessful in getting the bag,, and I ran and caught up with him. As we were going down Seafield View Road we saw a woman' carrying a handbag. Allen said, 'It's my turn to get one.' Two detectives then came along and got us." Detective H. E. Wilson said that in response to a complaint received shortly after 8 p.lll. on August 15 he left the "oliee station driving a police car. While driving along Park Road with Constable Duncan he saw accused and the other vouth walking toward Grafton Bridge. He noticed that each wore one red rubber glove. They were accosted in Seafield View Road and taken to the police station. On being told by witness that the youth who was with him admitted having attempted to snatch a handbag from a woman in Parnell Road, Xaylor replied, "Well, that's more than I know. F was never in Parnell Road." Detective Wilson produced Xaylor's list of previous convictions, which accused admitted were his. An electric torch found 011 Xaylor was also produced. In a statement from the dock accused told Mr. Morling that he had nothing to do with the handbag snatching, and that two or three times that liight he stopped his companion from snatching a bag. Knew Results of Crime. Mr. Morling: You are not charged with snatching or attempting to steal a handbag. On your own statement and by your cross-examination of the other youth you show that, you were there and what you went out for. The magistrate said accused must be convicted on the charge. The seriousness of "the offence was stressed by Detective-Sergeant Xalder. aho said that to be frightened and molested in the street might have a bad effect on a woman's health. After perusing Xaylor's list the magistrate mentioned that, Xaylor was at present on license from a Borstal institution, having been released 12 months before his term of detention had expired. "You have had numerous opportunities, but you don't seem to have learnt 3 T our lesson," the magistrate added. "You know the results of crime. On account of your age I will not- send you to prison, but I will send you back from where yon came. You will be ordered to be detained in a Borstal institution for two vears."