WILSON FOR SENTENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22326, 30 April 1936, Page 8

WILSON FOR SENTENCE

HOW HE ESCAPED FROM HOSPITAL CLOTHED IN ONLY SHIRT AND TOWEL [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 30. The story of how he escaped from Auckland Hospital in December, 1931, was revealed in the Police Court today when Thomas William Wilson (or Henry), aged 33, who was arrested on the Mariposa while returning from California to Australia, was charged with escaping from lawful custody at Auckland in December, 1931. He was unrepresented by’ counsel. The gaol superintendent. Mr Leggett, gave evidence that accused was sentenced at Dunedin in June, 1931, to five years for causing grievous bodily harm. He was transferred to Mount Eden Gaol. On December 16 of the same year he was sent to Auckland Hospital on the advice of the gaol doctor, and at 10.20 p.m. on December 20, the gaol was informed that Wilson was missing. Detective-sergeant Walsh said that when seen on the Mariposa accused admitted his identity. He was in possession of a deportation order from the United States, the grounds being illegal entry and that he was an undesirable alien. He made a voluntary statement as follows : —“ When I left the hospital I was attired in a shirt and towel. A motor car was waiting for me near the hospital and a suit of clothes for me was in this car. I was at once driven to the waterfront. I remained in hiding in the vicinity of the waterfront for two or three days, and then left Auckland on route for Vancouver. I was a stowaway aboard this ship and left the ship on arrival at Vancouver. Under the assumed name of Thomas Bird, I was sentenced to 15 days’ gaol at Vancouver for drunkenness and damage to property. I then went to the United States, and in January, 1934, at Los Angeles was sentenced to a term of from one to fifteen years’ imprisonment for burglary in the second degree. I was sent to San Quentin Prison, and in March last was deported on the Mariposa. My correct name is William Glen Henry.”

The police said in reply to accused’s question that he had been very frank. Wilson pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.