MAGISTRATE’S COURT Youths to face trial after armed hold-up

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33791, 13 March 1975, Page 14

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Youths to face trial after armed hold-up

I wo young men who pleaded not guilty to charges relating to an armed hold-up of the St Martins branch of the Canterbury Savings Bank on February 13 were committed to the Supreme Court for trial after the taking of depositions before Messrs A. I I. Marker and D. H. Hemslev, Justices of the Peace.

Peter Roy Carroll, aged 20, a labourer, and a youth aged 16, were remanded in custody. The youth’s name was suppressed. Mr A. K. Grant and Mr A. W. Robinson, for the defendants, reserved their defence. Miss R. J. Searle, a bank clerk, said that about 10.15 a.m. she was working in the bank, near the money drawer. She was aware of someone in the foyer who told her to “hand over the money.” She said a gun was pointed over the counter. The person, a man, was wearing a mask over his face, with two holes cut out for the eyes. Witness said she put the money from the cash drawer in a box the man gave her. He then turned and left the bank, removing the mask just outside the door. Miss H. J. Johns, who was then a clerk at the bank, said she had also handed money over to the man. She said the gun was not pointed directly at her and Miss Searle, but betwec i them. She remembered handing over $lOOO. I didn’t know if it was a joke or what — 1 was terrified,” she said. Mr C. S. Harvey, a butcher, said he had been driving past the bank and into Wades Avenue. He was approached by the bank manager, and from his information, Mr Harvey said he drove behind two youths, who were running “fairly fast” along Wades Avenue. He saw them turn into Prossers Road. Witness said he came abreast of the youths and turned to take a description of them. He later saw the youths turn into a section. Witness said he saw one of the youths place something which iooKfcd like cloth, into a 44-gaiion drum. One youth was carrying what looked like a card-! board box. Mr M. 1.. Hunter, a wine shop proprietor, said that as a result of information received, he had gone to the bank which was adjacent to his shop. He saw a man standing in front of the tehee's desk. Witness said the manager saw him, pointed to the counter, and mouthed words which seemed to be “Phone the police.” Witness said he went back to the wine shop and phoned the police. Mr G. C. Gambert, a bank manager, said he had been in his office when he heard someone say “Give us the money. It's a hold-up.” The man had what appeared to be a firearm. Witness said he instructed the teller to hand over the money. MASK REMOVED Witness said he followed the man from the bank where the mask was removed. The man then started to run down Wades Avenue and went into a property. The man hid behind a tree. Another person moved from behind another tree. Both then ran towards Prossers Road. The man who had gone into the bank had changed his shirt, witness said. Mrs C. M. Gardner said she had been shopping at the St Martin's shops with her son. She saw* a man rush round the corner and into the bank. He was wearing a mask and carrying a box. She then informed Mr Hunter of what had happened. Witness said she later saw the man come out of the bank. He was not wearing a mask at that time.

[ Mrs I. C. Cook said she had . lived in Wades Avenue in February. • i About 10.20 am. she saw a 'youth run across the lawn of ■ her neighbour's house. He rang the beli. and when there was no ( reply, walked back behind a tree. • HANDLES < i Witness said another youth ( came to the property. The youths < took off some of their clothes i and put them into a cardboard ; carton. One of the youths put ; something into a trouser pocket. She thought it had a handle but ; could not see properly. The j youths left separately, one of i them carrying the carton. Sergeant H. T. Surgeonor said 1 he went with a dog to a prop- 1 erty in St Martins Road. The de- 1 , fendants were found hiding in an attic. The gun was produced 1 ' from the trouser pocket of one 1 of the defendants. A bag full of ; money was also produced. The i youths said it was not a real 1

gun but a replica or toy gun. ’’The younger youth was terrified." Sergeant Surgeoner said. Constable B. N. Thomson said a crumpled cardboard box was found in the attic. Detective Sergeant D. K. White said that when interviewed Carroll said he and another youth decided to rob a bank to get money. The youth had waited outside the bank as he was too scared to go in. The defendant Carroll had gone in and said to a teller. “I’m not mucking around. I want all the money.” He then walked out, ran away and met the other youth. The mask was thrown away. The money was put in a loft. Detective Sergeant T. J. Gorman said when he first saw the gun. he thought it was a real pistol. Detective G. F. Scott said he looked in the 44-gallon drum on the property at St Martins Road and found clothing, curtain material and a mask made from the curtain material.