ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16762, 31 January 1918, Page 4

ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY

MAN JUMPS FROM TRAIN.

DISAPPEARS AT PENROSE.

NOT YET RECAPTURED.

The young man named John Thomas Christie, who was remanded at Wellington on a number of charges, including that of escaping from Avondale Mental Hospital on December 11, made a daring escape from custody yesterday morning. With another man in custody he was being brought from Wellington to Auckland on the Main Trunk express, two constables comprising the escort. The two prisoners were handcuffed together to make certain of their safety, but, as events proved, Christie was far from abandoning hope of regaining his freedom. Before the train reached Otahuhu Christie complained of severe pains and was twice taken to the lavatory. Some time later, when tho train had just passed Penrose, Christie had what appeared to be a third attack of pain, and he acted so well that the constable agreed to take him to the lavatory once more. On this occasion the constable, on account of traffic through the train, had to shut the door. This was the chance that Christie had been waiting for. He fastened the door, threw up the window, dropped from the train, which had slowed down on the long gradient, and disappeared. <

As soon as the constable knew that his charge had escaped he left the train and started to search the locality, while the other constable came on with the other prisoner to Auckland. Inquiry was made among the passengers through the train, and one gave the information that he had aeen a man move from the train and con:eal himself behind the semaphore post, his impression being that a passenger had taken the risk of leaving the train to savo an unnecessary journey into the city. Christie, who is about 23 years of age, was dressed in a brown suit and cap, a white silk shirt without a collar, and black boots. He has a bushy head of dark brown hair. A large scar behind the left ear may serve as a good proof of identity. He has an engaging manner, and as his record shows can be most convincing and persuasive. He is said to be well known in the neighbourhood of Remuera, Ellerslie, and Penrose, and on the occasion of his last escape hid in that locality for some days. Throughout the day a diligent search was made of this district by the police, and was continued throughout the night.

ESCAPED YOUTH' 3 RECORD. RESOURCEFUL IN CRIME. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The youth Joseph Thomas Christie, who has again escaped from custody, appeared in the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, last week to answer the six charges preferred against him, and was remanded until yesterday. He did not then appear, however, as the police had learned m the meantime that he was an escapee from the Auckland Mental Hospital. Being, officially, a lunatic, he was not liable to proceedings in respect of his actions. Christie has a record of several convictions. He'escaped from the Burnham In-* dustrial School to begin with, and subsequently, in July, 1913, escaped from gaol. In Auckland, on February 5, 1917, ho was sentenced to two years' hard labour, for the theft of motor-cycles, and was declared a habitual criminal. Soon afterwards he was sent to Christchurch to answer other charges, and he jumped overboard from the steamer Maori in Lyttelton Harbour. He was, however, easily recovered. Christie's next public appearance was after his escape from the Auckland Mental Hospital on December 11 Inst. His transfer to that institution from the gaol occurred on October 5 last, when, after medical, examination, ho was certified as being mentally defective. The youth's criminal career was characterised by much skill in hoodwinking other people. His plausible manner, effective use of cheque books, and his skill in handling motor-cycles, were his stock-in-trade. He has also shown extraordinary skill in concealing money about his person. On one occasion he succeeded in keeping a large sum that was not discoverable, either by the police or by the prison warders, until he himself told the Court that he had it on himWhen he was arrested at Patea a few days ago, it is said he had a £1 note ingeniously, but not sufficiently ingeniously, hidden for future use.