PRISON-BREAKER

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 168, 12 April 1932, Page 11

PRISON-BREAKER

Two Years’ Imprisonment

STORY OF HIS ARREST

Trail of Converted Cars

Dominion Special Service.

Wanganui, April 11.

On charges of breaking away from the Hautu prison camp and of being an incorrigible rogue, Roy Norris was convicted at the Police Court to-day and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in addition to the sentence he was already serving at Hautu. Ou twentythree other charges he was convicted and discharged. The charges included conversion of nine motor-cars, one motor-cycle, and a bicycle, and a number of charges of theft. Norris pleaded guilty to all offences. In his evidence, Detective J. Walsh said that accused escaped from the Hautu prison camp on the night of February 20, and was at large for twelve days before being arrested at Waverley. He was accompanied by another prisoner named Bennett, and during the time he was at liberty he was concerned in twenty-eight offences. At Hautu the pair had stolen clothing and two motor-cycles from the prison officials, and bad gone iu the direction of Tokaanu, but had abandoned the cycles and finished the journey on foot. At Tokaanu they had stolen a car, money, and clothing, and headed north, breaking into a store on their way. They turned south from Otorohanga, and they later abandoned the car and went north again. At Ongarue another car was stolen and driven to Otorohanga, where it was abandoned in favour of another which was driven to St. John’s, Wanganui. Stores were burgled on the way. At Wanganui attempts were made to steal two cars before a large saloon car was decided on. This car was driven to Silverstream and another commandeered aud taken to Waikanae beach. There another car was stolen, and they went to Palmerston North, where another exchange was effected. This ear was seen at Waverley on March 3, and Detective Walsh and Constable Christmas hurried to the place. During the afternoon, after considerable search, the two detectives discovered signs of a temporary camp iu a plantation, and shortly after accused was seeu with a rifle. He disappeared, and later was seen with the rifle, which he presented at the police. Detective Walsh added that he persuaded Norris to put the gun down, which was found to be cocked and loaded. Since bis arrest Norris had given every assistance in clearing up the mystery surrounding some of the offences. Norris had first been sentenced in 1921, aiid had made several other appearances in court. At the time of his escape he had a year and nine months to serve on a sentence of five years for breaking, entering, and theft at Auckland.

The magistrate, Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., commented that Norris should be given the maximum penalty of two years for escaping.