DRAMATIC DASH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 14 August 1942, Page 5

DRAMATIC DASH

PRISONER AT CQURT , SHORT-LIVED LIBERTY (P.A.) AUCKLAND, this day. A dramatic dash was made by-a-prisoner in the Supreme Court to-day five minutes after he had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonmentfor a series of 21 offences, including escaping from custody at Whakatane. : The escapee, Clifford Douglas Keene, aged 27, a ’labourer, made a sudden" dash as he was being put in'tfi[e, prisoners’ van at the baefe of the court. Closely pursued fcly officers'in-the ,van, he -rushed down avenue,; doubled back into side - streets and’ momentarily eluded his pursuers, fotft an organised drive resulted in his 1 recapture near the pplice station with-in-half an hour. • ' .. i “I warn you that if you commit any offence while serving a sentence, such as attempting to escape, the court will find its duty to declare you ari habitual criminal,” was the warning, which had been given to Kqene by Mr. Justice Fair in-passing sentence a few minutes before the escapade.-. Keene had-made a strong plea when appearing for sentence on admitted offences,, including breaking . JWd. entering arid theft from dwell inis/, theft, forgery and uttering, and, escaping from; custody. He,pleaded not to; be declared an habitual criminal, saying that his wife had stuck to him and he felthe-could make, goo.d after serving the sentence., Mr. Justice “Fair*'said that having regard to the 32. previous convictions and- the present 21 offences he bad; thought it ; Would 1 be necessary do declare him an habitual- 1 -criminal. Consideration would hi?’given, ho'\vever;"to the plea and a sign'of repentance by' the posting ,back of Atolgri, rings. He passed at sentence of 'fivp. years’ gaol in qll. -wp