ROOF-TOP INCIDENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 102, 27 October 1934, Page 13

ROOF-TOP INCIDENT

ATTEMPT TO SHOOT

DETECTIVE

YOUNG MAN FOUND GUILTY

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, October 2G.

A series of three charges was preferred in the Supreme Court today against Colin William Glass, a youngman who was arrested in sensational circumstances on v. city roof top at midnight on July 30. Ho was charged with attempting to discharge a loaded revolver at Detective Whitehead, with assaulting him, and with resisting him in tho execution of his duty. The case was tried by Mr, Justice Jlerdman. Mr. Meredith prosecuted, and Glass; conducted his own defence.

Mr. Meredith said that the incident giving rise to tho charges was a somewhat desperate one. When., the accused was accosted on a city roof top at night he turned a revolver on Detective Whitehead, saying, "Stick '-am Tip or I'll well shoot you." When ho presented tlio revolver at Detective Whitehead's chest there was a distinct click from it, but for some reason the cartridge did not go off. When he was finally overpowered ho was found to have in his possession a gelignite fuse, detonators, and a blue silk mask. Detective Whitehead gave lengthy evidence.

Eric Wright, a member of the staff of tho Bank of Now South Wales, Newmarket, said that the revolver produced had been taken from the bank. There had been five live cartridge:, and one spent one in it. ,It was arranged .so that when tlie . trigger was pulled the empty chamber was struck.

Glass elected neither to give evidence nor to make a statement to tho jury.

His Honour drew attention, to the seriousness of the charge of attempting to shoot, and said that the accused's conduct on tho roof had been extraordinary. It was plain that tho man was armed and that he had material for damaging a safe or a. building. He had made a, violent struggle with the detective and had threatened to shoot.

Tho jury was absent only 20 minutes, before returning a verdict of guilty on tho major charge of attempting to discharge a firearm. The accused was remanded for sentence.