‘Bludger’ sought

Press, 9 July 1979, Page 1

‘Bludger’ sought

PA Wellington The Hutt Valley police are looking for a person who might have stayed with Mr G. Englebrecht, aged 94, or been a casual visitor in his Petone house about two months ago. The 50 policemen working on the case think the person responsible for his death might have since been living within a mile or two of Mr Englebricht’s home. A couple who stayed at the house six to eight weeks ago have given descriptions of several other persons who stayed there or who were casual visitors.

This couple were associated with a church group and were “for genuine reasons trying to help an old man through the elderly

stage of his life,” said Detective Inspector C. W. Wilson. The casual visitors went to the house to “bludge” a meal or a bed for the night. As well as these persons, the police are looking for a male Polynesian, in his 20s and of medium build, seen outside the house by three persons about 8 p.m. last Thursday. Mr Englebrecht was battered to death soon afterward by someone who went to the house prepared to commit such a crime, Mr Wilson said. Mr Englebrecht had his last few drinks in a Lower Hutt tavern on Thursday afternoon and the police believe he could have been followed home from there.