ARIES AND MASKED TO ROB SAVINGS BANK

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2313, 4 December 1925, Page 7

ARIES AND MASKED TO ROB SAVINGS BANK

Former Bank Officer Admits Dire Intent STORY OF CHASE AND STRUGGLE AT NEWMARKB/If [Per Press Association.} AUCKLAND, Last Night, At the Police Court, George Joseph Marshall, was charged that on the night of November 6, he, being armed with a loaded revolver, did assault Robert Gilmore, manager of the Newmarket branch of the Auckland Savings Bank, with intent to rob him. Accused pleaded guilty and wan committed for sentence. Accused, in a statement, said ho used to work i.i a bank, tat had to leave owing to neuritis in the arm. He got married and had domestic troubles, and his wife left him. Being out of oa-ployment and knowing mini thing about banks, he iecided to. get some money in that direction. Robert Gilmore, manager of tho Auckland Savings Bank at Newmarket, said he resided above the Bank with his wife and family. He know accused, who left the employ of tha Savings Bank in December 1920. Oh the Friday, November 6, witness was on duty at the Bank rrom T to 9, p.m. A clerk was also on duty as 8.55 p.m. Mr. Waters, the clerk, left tho office to post the mail. leaving witness alono in the Bank. At 9 p.m. witness left his desk and walked through tho chamber in order to lock the front door. As nt was about to pass through the double spring doors, witness saw a man standing behind the partly closed front door. The man had a black cloth tied round his face in the rorni) of a mask and held a revolver in hj« right hand. Tho revolver was at tup level of accused’s shoulder and pointed In witness’ face. Witness immodiatoly rushed accused, who rap along the street. Ho overtook him, about fifty yards from tho Bank and grabbed his two arms from the back. Just ns ho caught hold of him. the revolver was fired. It was not fired at witness. Accused struggled violently and endeavoured to free himself, but with assistance lie waa overpowered. Tho revolver had to be wrenched from bis grasp. At the time accused pointed tho revolver at witness there was a considerable sum of money in the Bank. Accused waa arrested by a constable. A leather bag about Him long and (iin. wide was found on the floor inside the door where Marshall had been standing. Mr, Ready:. “Immediately you grabbed Marshall, the revolver wonr off ?”—“Yes,” "Tou know Marshall personally ?'• —“Yes.” “You relieved him when he waa manager at Onehunga ?” —"Yes.” “Ho resigned from the bank on account of sickness and the disability to-his arm ?”—“I understand so.”— Before witness left the box, he waa congratulated by the Magistrate for his bravery in mailing a man, masked and armed with a revolver.