CONSTABLE RESISTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 17 September 1929, Page 12

CONSTABLE RESISTED.

STR U G ail E Wl TH A FIREMAN.

SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT.

COMMITTED ON FURTHER CHARGE \ " When I questioned }iim he said ho was the manager,- and asked mo to come inside and he would show mo through," said. Constablo Hayes, when Patrick Byrne, aged 35, a fireman, was chargod in the Polico Court yesterday \yith breaking and entering the office of Parkinson and Co., monumental masons, Victoria Street, with intent, to steal. He was also charged with resisting tho polico and with damaging a constable's helmet to the extent of 83 6di

Constable Hayes said that when passing tho monumental yards at about 9.35 p.m. on September 4 his suspicions were arousecT by a light in the office. Ho went to the office door, which was open, and saw Byrno inside. After stating that he was the manager Byrno rushed past witness toward the gate. Byrno had reached the gato when tho constable caught him and pulled him back into the yard. " He resisted violently and wo tumbled about for some time," said tho constable. " In tho scuffle my helmet fell off and Byrne jumped on it, damaging it considerably. I held him until another constable arrived and he was taken to tho police station. I found tho catch of tho door broken, and it appeared as if tho door had been pushed in." It was stated by a member of the firm that nothing was missing from tho office. Tho cash-box was hidden in a secret place. ~

" Ho has had a lot of convictions and has been in every gaol in New Zealand," said Chief-Detective Hammond.

Accused, who was represented by Mr. Noble, pleaded not guilty to tho charge of breaking and entering and was committed to tho Supremo Court for trial. On the charge of resisting the police he was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, and on the charge of damaging the helmet ho was convicted and discharged.