STRANGLED BY OLD MAN

Evening Star, Issue 23048, 29 August 1938, Page 9

STRANGLED BY OLD MAN

THIEF IN MELBOURNE PARK DESPERATE STRUGGLE ENDS IN ASSAILANT'S DEATH Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright MELBOURNE, August 28. (Received August 29, at 8 a.m.) Strangled by an elderly invalid pensioner in a suburban park on Saturday night, a thief was killed while attempting to rob him. The dead man was aged 23 years. He had a criminal record. The police were summoned to the scene, and found the dead man lying across the pensioner’s arm. The latter was apparently in a state of collapse, and his fingers were still entwined in the dead man’s tie and collar. The pensioner’s face and scalp were severely lacerated. On his recovery he said that the thief had spoken to him, and had induced him to enter the park, where he attacked him, demanding money. A long struggle followed, and in a desperate attempt to save himself the old man seized his assailant’s collar and twisted it against his windpipe. Hearing cries, a pedestrian came to his assistance and telephoned the police. After treatment at the hospital the pensioner was allowed to go homo.