VIOLENT ASSAULT ON WOMAN AND THEN SUICIDE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6801, 3 January 1929, Page 6

VIOLENT ASSAULT ON WOMAN AND THEN SUICIDE

Armed Perpetrator Defies Arrest BARRICADES HIMSELF IN SHOP A WANGANUI SENSATION. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, Last Night. Mrs. D. Withey, the keeper of a sweet shop opposite the Opera House, was assaulted in her Shop shortly before seven o'clock tonight allegedly by a man named George Allen, formerly a friend of ners, who then threw her into the street and barricaded himself In the shop armed with a doublebarrelled shot-gun. Called by tho police to surrender ha refused and went unmolested till after eleven as the police deemed it best in the interests of public safety not to precipitate action. The fire brigade was called out eventually and a hose was played through the back window, but it was unable to reach Allen who then went into tho front shop to recover from the effects of ammonia, which was also used in an attempt to drive him from his refuge. At midnight the police had not been able to effect a capture. The woman was taken to the hospital when it was reported she was in a serious condition from scalp wounds. Later.

Just on midnight when the police commenced spraying ammonia through tho windows Allen shot .himself, Ho was found when the door was broken in. Allen Refuses to Surrender EXCITING TIME ENDS TRAGICALLY. Special to “ Times." WANGANUI, Last Night. Mrs. Withey’s hair was mattecj with blood. Mr. Gaskin, who found her in the street, told your correspondent later that she was terribly afraid that she would bo attacked by someone who was within tho shop and made frantic efforts to get as far away from it as possible. “She kept calling me to get hoc away. It looked gf though she had been hit on tho head and, from what. I could gather the attack had been made with a bottle.’’ Vv f Meanwhile, Detectives Walsh and Reveli appeared at one of the windows of tho shop and a consultation was carried on with Allen. He defied the polico to set foot in the building and his words had a menacing ring. Ho seemed quite rational and told the police he would turn the gun on himself if he were forced. ; '-U Detective Walsh pleaded with the Y man to give himself up, but the timo dragged on without any move- being made, Allen showing no inclination to alter his position. , Tho crowd became thicker as the news spread throughout the town and even the fire brigade was called out to assist. A hose was placed through a v; : window, but Allen managed to go to a corner. Finally, just before midnight, the windows were smashed in by the polico , Bnd ammonia sprayed in. Realising that his capture was near Allen then shot himself through tho throat, practically blowing his head off., The polico broke tho door in on hearing the shot and found him dead on the floor. . Mrs. Dora Beryl Withey is the second daughter of Mr. H. West, 81 Wilson street. She had known Allen as a friend some months ago, but in October last trouble occurred between the two which 1 , culminated in a violent quarrel which was ventilated in a Court action on October 4. Allen appeared on a chargo • of causing damage to the window of “The Parisian.” It was stated that he went to the shop to see Mrs. Withey. She was out at the time and Allen took up a piece of concrete and hurled it through tho window. When the case was brought before the Court, the defendant stated he had been drinking at the time and was also worried over money matters. He was ordered to make restitution and placed on proba- • tion for two years. Allen is described as a labourer, aged 32. • .. ..