Dramatic Story

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 3

Dramatic Story

GIRL’S ALLEGATIONS ORDEAL WITH ARMED MAN Alleging that she was shot and then had a pillow held over her face, a young hotel waitress recently told a dramatic j story to Brighton magistrates of an alleged all-night ordeal in her room with an armed man. The girl, Beatrice Rose West, employed at a hotel in Oriental Place, Brighton, spent nearly five hours in the witness-box, while Rezin Frederick Kettley, aged 28, fruiterer, stood in the dock charged with shooting at her with intent to murder. Giving evidence, Miss West stated that in October, 1935, Kettley told her he would end it for both of them. “I got very frightened, and pleaded with him not to do it, 77 she continued. "He put some pennies in the gas-meter, placed a pillow down by the fire, and something by the door, so the draught could not get in. “Turned on the Gas” “Wc struggled lor a long while. He forced me down with him on the floor, and we put our heads on the pillow. He turned on the gas. But he was the weaker of tho two, and during the struggle he had become exhausted. 1 got up, opened the windows and tried to revive him. Wo both recovered. Following an inquiry to his hand, Kettley told her he could not work. Ho stated that he had loaned money to a man, and sho offered to lend him some. In all, he had £55 from her in small amounts. On the night of September 6, Miss West continued, Kettley came to sec her, explaining that ho had some of the money he owed her, and wanted to sign it over to her.

“We both sat down and talked. He tried to be very nice, but I told him it was no use trying to get round me any more, as I realised he was not worthy of me. With that he produced a gun from his inside pocket.

"I exclaimed: ‘You wicked swine; I ought to havo had protection. 7 He said; ‘Yes, I thought you would have done, and if you had, they would have got the first one. 7 ‘‘Terrible Piercing Pain’ 7

‘‘While wo were talking I got hold of the gun and put it under the pillow. Then his hand reached out and he got the gun. He stood up and demanded 1 should change my dress. X would not do so.

‘‘He became very wild and I told him to go outside. But he would not go. So I changed my dress outside and came back.

‘‘He said: ‘I think I will shoot you from a distance, 7 and I took a pillow for protection. Ho came over, forced me on the bed and put the gun against me. It went off.

‘‘X felt a terrible piercing pain. 1 screamed, and he put a pillow over my face. Although in pain, I struggled and asked him to let me go. He told me to be quiet, and took the pillow away. I do not know how long I lay there, but the pain was getting worse. ‘‘ He was frantic, and still messing about with the gun. I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was going to blow his brains out.

‘‘l asked him to get a doctor or someone, but he said, ‘lf I do, they will get me. 7 "I told him not to trouble, and he stopped with me until about six o 7 clock in the morning. He kissed me before he went, and told me always to remember ho loved me. He told me to say it was an accident. 77 Surgeon’s Evidence. Mr F. Carpenter, defending: You do not really know how the gun went off* Miss West: No. I felt it pressed into me. Dr. S. C. Williams, house surgeon at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, stated that Miss West’s condition had been made more sorious because of the time which had elapsed betwen receiving tho wound and receiving medical attention. Kettley 7 s mother was called as a witness, and told the Court that just after 7 a.m. ou September 7, her son came home and remarked that he had had an accident with a gun. Her son said, ‘‘l must have touched the trigger with my finger, and it went into Beatty. 77 According to Police-Constable Kelway, who has since retired, Kettley called at his home, declared that he had accidentally shot his girl, and wanted advice. Kettley, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the Assizes.