Dangerous prisoners escape from Borstal

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 1

Dangerous prisoners escape from Borstal

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, October 29

Two prisoners, both described as dangerous, escaped from the Invercargill Borstal at 9.45 a.m. today, and although there have been sightings of them they are still at large.

The prisoners are Alistair John Barr, aged 20, and Michael Patrick Murray, aged 22. Road blocks to apprehend them have been set up throughout Southland.

The escape was reported to the Invercargill police at 9.45 a.m., the Southland district police commander (Superintendent A. B. McCallum) said this afternoon.

A man, who had been cleaning his car in Kelvin Street, was persuaded by the two escapers to drive them out of town. On the journey, the escapers recognised an acquaintance in another car and hailed him. They were then taken to Kapuka South, about 10 miles from Invercargill, where they were last seen just after 3 p.m. POLICE SEARCH A squad of 15 police, from the uniformed branch and the Invercargill C. 1.8., the armed offenders’ squad, and the dog section are searching the Kapuka South area. The police are searching buildings in the area, which include the school, garage, outbuildings, and four houses. The four families, with any arms they possess, have been taken to safety. The escapers were not armed, as far as was known, Mr McCallum said, but it was

thought possible that they might try to find firearms. Barr and Murray were being held in custody in Borstal after two cases heard in the Supreme Court at Invercargill last week. On Friday, Barr was sentenced to three years gaol on charges of burglary and conspiring to commit burglary, having been found guilty on

both charges by a jury earlier in the week.

Murray appeared for trial on Thursday, when the jury failed to reach agreement on alternative charges of wounding with intent to injure, assault with intent to injure, and assault. A retrial was ordered, Murray being remanded in custody.