TAXI HOLD-UP

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1934, Page 11

TAXI HOLD-UP

THE KAIAPOI CASE

ACCUSED PLEAD GUILTY

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

Evidence, regarding an assault on a taxi-driver at Kaiapei on tho evening of August 26 was heard in the Magistrate's Court this morning. Two men pleaded guilty to the assault, and also admitted breaking and entering the Rangiora store and converting a motorcar. The accused were James Ernest Baggstrom, aged 21, .and Henry Crawford, 21. They were described as labourers, with no fixed abode.

Amongst the goods-taken from the shop were two .22 rifles, COO rounds of ammunition, a number of watches, and a quantity of cigarettes.

George Langford Minifie, taxi proprietor, of Kaiapoi, said that he was called at about 9 o'clock on the Sunday evening to take the two accused to Waikuku. Witness, noticing the guns, asked if they had been out shooting, and they said they had beeii out for a bit of sport, but had got nothing. About 2} miles out of Kaiapoi a cord was thrown over the witness's head, which was then pulled back. Witness stopped the car. One of tho men said that if the witness cried out he would knife him. The witness called out and the men released their hold. He slipped out of the car and faced the men with a rifle pointing at his head. One of tho men said: "I'll shoot you." Witness said that he then made a run for it and was picked up by the- two men in a car. As a result of the assault he had a weal extending from the mouth to the left ear, and also a weal under the chin.

The accused were committed for sentence.