SUPREME COURT TWO DENY CHARGE OF KIDNAPPING

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33454, 8 February 1974, Page 11

SUPREME COURT TWO DENY CHARGE OF KIDNAPPING

The trial of two men on a; joint charge of kidnapping a man at Balclutha, and four; other joint charges, began ini the Supreme Court yester-I day before Mr Justice Mac-' arthur and a jury. Peter Thomas Shearer,! aged 21, a cook .(Mr J. E. | Butler) and Allen Graham: Urquhart, aged 30, unem-l ployed (Mr A. J. Forbes),! have pleaded not guilty toj charges of kidnapping Brian Wayne McLaren at Balclutha, assaulting Mr McLaren with intent to injure, robbing him of $35, or alternatively the theft of his wallet and contents, and the unlawful taking of his car, valued at $5OO. Mr G. K. Panckhurst appears for the Crown. “MET IN HOTEL” I Mr McLaren, aged 21, a: labourer, said that he met the two accused at Balclutha on September 12. They drank at a hotel until 10 p.m. Urquhart, suggested that they go to a party and witness drove them in his car. After the car was stopped on the side of the road, Mr McLaren said, Shearer hit him a heavy blow on the

side of the head with his fist. He was also hit on the . mouth, losing a tooth, and on the nose. He was iknocked to the ground. ' Mr McLaren said he told the accused that they could take his car and leave him there. He was pushed into the car, which was driven towards Christchurch. Urquhart had demanded

witness’s wallet which contained $35. Witness refused and Shearer hit him across the face and Urquhart poked him in the ribs. Urquhart took his wallet and removed the money.

.> When they stopped at a|< u service station in Dunedin J; (Mr McLaren said, he at-ii 11 tempted to get out of then I car. Urquhart indicated that!< -the had a gun in his pocket! land said: “Stay put or 1 will) (blast you”. i The car was stopped orj J the roadside at Temuka and! .(when the two accused went; to sleep witness attempted. (to get out of the car but t was pulled back by the hair . by Urquhart. I They reached Christchurch!, about 8 a.m. The car was!! . parked near a wine mer-! i chant’s and the two accused :< , said that they were going) ' away for a few minutes and|< ' then they would take him J back. The keys were left ini (the ignition. i Mr McLaren said that;] ■after sleeping for more than ji Jan hour he got out of the;' ; j.

| car, approached a pedestrian and told him that he had; jbeen hit on the head and irobbed. The police were j called.