THREE YOUNG MEN CHARGED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 259, 29 July 1937, Page 18

THREE YOUNG MEN CHARGED

Alleged Hold-ups Under Arms “This is a serious charge, punishable with imprisonment for life,” said Detec-tive-Sergeant P. Doyle when three young men appeared before Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday charged with attempted robbery under arms. In addition, one, of them was charged with breaking, entering and theft, and another with theft and receiving stolen money; and two youths were also accused of complicity in these offences. All were remanded to appear on August 4. Basil Ernest David Johnson-Barrett, painter and seaman, aged 22, Maurice Bush, storeman, 21, and Arthur Frederick Langford, salesman, 19, were jointly charged that on July 3 at Wellington, armed with a pistol, they attempted to rob a Chinaman, Fong Lee. Barrett and a factory hand aged 19, whose name was suppressed, were charged with breaking and entering the shop of Frank Boffa at Courtenay Place and stealing £2 and £7 12/6 respectively. Langford was charged with receiving £3 which he knew had been dishonestly obtained, and he and another factory hand aged 20, whose name was also suppressed, were jointly charged with stealing £6 cash from Vernon Kilgour. Detective-Sergeant Doyle said that against Barrett there were three “holdup” clulrges and two of breaking and entering. He was an English sailor who had been in the country only a few months. In the interests of the community he should not be let out on bail but should be kept in prison. “There will be no bail granted,” said the magistrate. One of the factory hands, however, was granted bail at £25 with a like surety, and the other at £5O and a like surety. Detective-Sergeant Doyle said that the latter was associated in one ‘‘hold-up” charge and in one of breaking and entering.

"He’s only the stool-pigeon of the gang,” said Mr. P. Verschaffelt, who appeared for all the five. The youth’s name was suppressed and he was ordered to report twice daily to the police.