MAN GRABS THIEF, BUT IS REFUSED HELP

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1949, Page 4

MAN GRABS THIEF, BUT IS REFUSED HELP

Strange Incident in Christchurch Streets

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 28. While he was struggling in Moorehouse Avenue on Saturday evening with a man wiiom he had caught in the premises of Vita Cellars Ltd., of 131 Madras Street, Mr W. Withell, the Manager of the firm, received no help, from four men, who walked past. He could not call for help because his lower set of false teeth had been broken and part of the set had caught in his throat.

The man, who was described bv Mr Withell as being young, and of . good build, broke away, and, though the police were quickly on the scene, he was not caught. Withell’s throat was severely bruised where, the man tried to stragle him and his throat and gums were lacerated. When Mr Withell went to the firm’s premises about 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, he found a large suit-case with six bottles of wine in it on a table. He heard a noise upstairs, and a man came into the room on the ground floor. When challenged by Withell, the man said that he was just having a look around. The man threatened Withell with a box, and he ran out to the street, where he slipped and fell on the pavement Withell jumped on him, and caught him by the hair. Withell asked a passing cyclist to call the police/ but the cyclist refused. Withell was taking the man to the police station , and he had just turned into Moorhouse Avenue, when the man attacked him. While the two were struggling on the footpath, a motorist crossed the road and looked at them for a moment. Then he went back to his motor-car, and drove away. Four other men walked past without stopping.