Accused “admired guy who got hurt”

Press, 24 August 1977, Page 4

Accused “admired guy who got hurt”

Magistrate's Court

One of the two men charged with robbing and causing grievous bodily harm to the manager of the Addington Totalisator Agency Board had said he “admired the guy who got hurt,” the Magistrate’s Court was told yesterday. Detective Sergeant R. Powell said that Larry Hemi Matthews had made the comment while being questioned about the offence. He had said he “admired the guy because he tried to overcome impossible odds because he thought he was doing right,” said Detective Powell. Matthews became emotionally upset and began crying while being questioned. When first asked if he committed the robbery, he replied: "You’re joking,” said Detective Powell. ’He had later asked for his wife, and

in her presence said he had robbed the T.A.B. Matthews had said he met Wysocki and they talked about doing the robbery because they both needed the money. They used a car Matthews took from Invercargill for the robbery, Detective Powell told the court.

Detective Powell was giving evidence in depositions against Matthews, aged 26, who was charged with robbing Albert Charles Walpole of $13,192 and causing him grievous bodily harm, with breaking and entering a builder's shed, and with unlawfully taking two motorcars.

Matthews appeared handcuffed to Rex lan Wysocki, aged 29, who was also charged with robbing Mr Walpole and with breaking and entering a builder’s shed, and of robbing Vicki Anne

Cheatley, a teller of the Wanganui Savings Bank, of $4037. Wysocki pleaded guilty to the charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentencing. Matthews pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

The men appeared before Mr A. H. Market and Mr M. W. Burbery, Justices of the Peace. Both were remanded in custody. Mr Walpole gave evidence that he entered the office of the Addington T.A.B. on July 18 and was hit on the head as he went to disconnect the safe alarm. “I remember someone telling me to open the safe,” said Mr Walpole.

“When I came to I got to my feet and a person appeared in front of me with a balaclava over his head. I think I had a swing at him. The next thing I remember

was waking up on the floor. Something was tied around my feet and hands.” Mr Walpole noticed that one alarm on the control panel had been de-activated. Mr Walpole suffered lacerations to the back of the head, bruises on the shoulders and legs, cuts to the mouth, and a loss of hearing in one ear.

Another detective gave evidence that in a statement Wysocki said the T.A.B “looked easy” for a robbery. He and Larry had gone there together early on July 18 and he had drilled a hole in a window and undone the catch. He and Matthews ther waited in a back room until someone came in.

Wysocki had said he had whacked the man a few times, tied him with twine and got his keys from him