WILDER REMANDED FOR SENTENCE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 12

WILDER REMANDED FOR SENTENCE

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 13. One of the biggest police searches in New Zealand’s history ended on July 21 when the New Plymouth prison escaper, George Wilder, after travelling 1620 miles in 65 days of freedom, was captured at Mangakino, the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland was told today by the police prosecutor. Wilder pleaded guilty to 29 charges of burgling baches, shops and houses from Auckland to Mangakino, five charges of car conversion; two charges of bicycle conversion, three charges of stealing clothing, petrol and a car, and one of escaping from lawful custody Mr W. S. Spence. S.M.. convicted Wilder on all charges iand remanded him for sentence to tomorrow

Prosecuting, Senior - Sergeant G. A. Dallow said Wilder was serving a sentence of four years on 43 'charges of theft, car conversion and burglary at New Plymouth when be escaped i During bis 65 days of freedom, he travelled—sometimes by goods trains, someI times by converted cars, and sometimes with unnamed friends—-from New Plymouth to Wellington, north to Taumarunui. to Rotorua, Auckland, back to Wellington, and then to the Mangakino area he travelled by foot, and once, he told the pc’ ! ce. he captured a horee at Waipa. rode it for a while until he fell and broke his thumb and let it go. He broke into baches and shops over a wide area and

stole clothing, food and petrol. Stolen ■ property was worth £ 237 altogether and damage done amounted to £53. About £5l worth of stolen property as well as the cars and bicycles were recovered, said Mr Dallow. During the search and capture Wilder caused no physical violence to anyone, although he was disturbed twice.

When he was caught at Mangaikino he threw his sheath knife on the ground to indicate he would put up no struggle. Wilder had 91 previous convictions. said Mr Dallow. Wilder, who appeared in Court handcuffed to a policeman, had nothing to say.