AT REVOLVER POINT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 April 1935, Page 4

AT REVOLVER POINT

Mother and Adult Son Bound, Gagged and Robbed DETECTIVES MAKt- ARREST CHARGE OF ASSAULT LAID

At the point of a loaded revolver an elderly woman, Mrs Byrne, and her adult son, Joseph Byrne, were bound and gagged in their home in Tinakori Road, Wellington, on Monday night by a man who stole £3 odd before leaving the house. The police have made -an arrest.

It is alleged that Die man was well known to Mrs Byrne and her son. -

The man entered the house at about S p.m., when only Mrs Byrne was at home, and she was left bound and gagged for two and a half hours. Joseph Byrne, w 7 ho arrived at the house at- about 9.30 p.m., was likewise bound and gagged, although he put up a struggle. The man is alleged to have taken some money from Joseph. Byrne before leaving the house. It was not. until 10.30 p.m. that another occupant of the house arrived and, hearing cries from Mr Byrne, discovered the two helpless people. Mrs Byrne 3’esterday had to receive medical attention.

Detectives were informed of the hold-up, and the}’ searched the city on Monday night and yesterday. Yesterday afternoon they arrested a middle-aged man and preferred against him charges of assaulting Mrs Byrne so as to cause her actual bodily harm and of robbing Joseph Byrne while armed with a firearm. He will appear in the Magistrate's Court to-day, whenthe police intend to apply for a remand for further inquiries to be made. In the Magistrate’s Court * this morning James Hopkins, aged. 44, a clerk, of 61 Riddiford Street, was charged with robbing Joseph Byrne of £3 12s when in possession of an automatic pistol, and also with assaulting Johanna Byrne- so as to cause her actual bodily harm. Detective Sergeant Revell said that Hopkins -had been arrested by detectives, and he asked for a remand until Wednesday. No evidence was called and the remand was granted.