ATTEMPTED ARSON CHARGE

Evening Star, Issue 21433, 9 June 1933, Page 6

ATTEMPTED ARSON CHARGE

YOUNG MAN IN COURT EVIDENCE BY PRISONER AWAITING SENTENCE Theft and attempted arson were the ■charges preferred against Raymond! Theodore Padman, who appeared in the Police Court this morning before Mill. W. Bundle, S.M. The accused was charged with breaking and entering by night the warehouse of Harry Wimpenny and stealing 10s 3d in money, one tin of tobacco, and a quantity of matches, valued in all at 12s 6d Ho also was charged with attempted arson, in that ho had wilfully attempted to set fire to the warehouse by setting fire to certain substances (papers and a wooden desk) so situated that he know the place was likely to catch fire. Mr E. J. Smith appeared for the accused.

Harry Wimpenny, motor station proprietor, carrying on business at the corner of Portobello and Anderson’s Bay roads, said that on May 29 last he left the station about 9.30 p.m. He had a burglar alarm on the premises, this being connected with an electric circuit. There was a telephone on the premises, and both wore in order when he left. On the following morning he returned to the premises about 7.40, and noticed two holes that had been bored through the woodwork of the door near the lock. There was also a “ jemmy ” mark on tho door. The top panel of the door was made of galvanised iron, and showed signs of having been forced. When he entered the station, he found 9s 9d was missing from the office, and also 3s 7d from the cash register. A tin of tobacco, cigarettes, and a quantity of matches were also missing. He also found that tho burglar alarm (produced) had been put out of action, the wires being cut. The’ clock on the premises hed been interfered with, and witness also discovered that an attempt had been made to set fire to the office. He discovered burnt paper in a drawer. which bad also been burnt. On the floor at the foot of the desk there was another heap of burnt paper. Attached to the station were five petrol bowsers, each with tanks containing petrol. Constable Smythe said that ho had been on night duty in South Dunedin, and when he visited Mr Wimpenny’s premises at 1.50 a.m. on the morning of May 30, the premises were secured. He visited the place again at 4.35 a.m., and found that the tin panel of the door had been forced near the lock. He could detect a smell of smokej and found a quantity of burnt paper in the office. He attempted to'use the telephone, and found that the wires had been cut.

James Robert Stanley Sutherland, a prisoner at present awaiting sentence by the Supremo Court, said that he had known the accused Padman for three or four months. On the morning of May 29 witness met Padman, and they made arrangements to meet each other that night between 11.30 and 12 at Bridgman street. Detailing their movements that night, witness said when they went to his place Padman suggested witness should get a chisel and also a gimlet (produced). This witness did, and Padman said they would come in handy. Padman mentioned that he had a tyro lever (produced). After leaving witness’s house they came down Wilkie road to Bridgman street, where Padman’s motor bicycle was left. They agreed then to go to Wimpenny’s with the intention of , breaking into the place, but decided to leave the bike in Bridgman street. They' walked down Bridgman street and along Anderson’s Bay road to Wimpenny’s. They had a look round to see if there was anybody about, and Padman tried the door by putting his shoulder against it, the burglar alarm sounding like a motor car horn. Witness went on to detail the attempts that were made to stop the alarm, and continued by describing the methods which were adopted in entering the building. He said they discovered the cash register open on a shelf, and a shilling and threepence were found lying there. Witness took these, and Padman was then in the inner office. Witness did not know what he was doing, but he handed witness out a cigarette tin full of coppers. Witness was keeping watch at tho door when Padman came out into the main building and began searching the shelves near the cash register, saying that he was looking for spark plugs. Accused then went back into the office, and witness gave him warning of an approaching car. (Proceeding.)