MAN ATTACKED BY INTRUDER

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25741, 1 March 1949, Page 6

MAN ATTACKED BY INTRUDER

INJURIES PREVENT CALL FOR AID

STRUGGLE IGNORED BY PEDESTRIANS

While he was struggling in Moorhouse avenue on Saturday evening with a man, whom he had caugnt on the premises of Vita Cellars, Ltd., of 131 Madras street, Mr W. WitheU, manager or the firm, received no help from tour men who walked past. He could not call for help because his lower set of false teeth had been broken and a part had caught in his throat. The man, who was described by Mr WitheU as being young and of good build, broke away, and. though the police were quickly on the scene, he was not caught. Mr .Withell’s throat was severely bruised where the man tried to strangle him, and his throat and gums were lacerated. When' Mr Withell went to the firm's premises about 7.30 p.m. on Saturday he found a large suitcase, with six bottles of wine in it. on a table. He heard a noise upstairs, and a man came into the room on the ground floor. When challenged by Mr Withell the man said he was just having a look round. The man threatened Mr Withell with a box and ran out to the street where he slipped and fell on the pavement. Mr Withell jumped on him and caught him by the hair. Mr Withell asked a passing cyclist to call the police but the cyclist refused. Mr Withell was taking the man to the police station and had just turned into Moorhouse avenue when the man attacked him. While the two were struggling on the ground, a man crossed the road looked at them for a moment then went back to his motorcar and drove away. Four other men walked past without stopping.