Ambition To Kill A Policeman Alleged

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31521, 8 November 1967, Page 38

Ambition To Kill A Policeman Alleged

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, November 7.

Arrested when police burst into a flat at Milford, David Patrick Williams, who is charged with aggravated robbery, is alleged to have told the police that it was his ambition to kill one of them. “That would be a big moment for me,” he is alleged to have said.

Williams, a 24-year-old scrap metal dealer, and a 25-year-old man whose name was suppressed were today committed for trial in the Supreme Court on a charge that, together with persons unknown, they robbed Peter Ngok Lee of SNZIO6O, SUSSI7, £AB, £Stg2, and jewellery valued at $1240 at Meadowbank.

tive Sergeant B. J. Cameron described how he and Detective Sergeant N. A. Sowter had watched Williams’s flat in Castor Bay Road, Milford, and then, believing they were observed, had rushed through nearby properties to catch the occupants of the flat. “I went straight through the front door,” said Detective Sergeant Cameron. “Accused asked how I had found this place and started a tirade of abuse. I told him he was under arrest for housebreaking. “Shortly afterwards, Williams said, ‘lt is just as well you are armed —if I had sprung you before you sprang me I would have had a bullet for both of you. “ ‘lt is my ambition to kill one of you coppers. That

would be a big moment for me’.”

Detective Sergeant Cameron went on: “Williams said all the property in the flat was his, that he had stolen it all, but he challenged the police to prove it.” A search of the flat produced money and jewellery which were the proceeds of the Meadowbank robbery, and a pistol with two rounds in place. Detective Sergeant M. Jeffries said three people—Mr Lee and his wife and daughter —had identified the man, whose name was suppressed. They did so at an identification parade in which eight Maori or Island males took part.

Today, the second day of the hearing before Messrs A. G. Gorbey and H. Brown, Justices of the Peace, Detec-

Mr K. Ryan, representing both accused, said the only evidence linking the man with the robbery was the identification by the two elderly Chinese, which he said, left much to be desired.

In the case of Williams, the only evidence was of jewellery found at his flat and the verbal, but not written, admissions of the man himself.

After hearing the Court’s decision to commit them for trial, each of the accused pleaded not guilty. A further charge of burglary against Williams was adjourned for a suitable date for depositions to be fixed. Applications for bail on behalf of each accused were refused and the men were remanded in custody.