TERROR OF THE ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

TERROR OF THE ROADS

"MAN WITH GLARING EYES'*

EX-SOLDIER'S DEATH SENTENCE

WOMAN KNOCKED DOWN BY CAR

With the refusal of the Court of Criminal Appeal to alter sentence of death on an ex-lance-corporal of the First Battalion, Welsh Regiment, it can now be revealed that the condemned soldier was " the man with the glaring eyes," who terrorised the Farnhain and Aldershot districts of Hampshire over a period of nine months, states a London journal. Having travelled from her cottage homo in Porth, Glamorgan, the girlwife of Arthur Charles Mortimer, aged 27, who had been stationed at Aldershot, was a silent, tearless witness of a drama which spelt the doom of her husband. Wearing a black beret and a brown coat, she was seated behind the barristers' benches when Mortimer stepped quickly into the dock of the Criminal Appeal Court. They exchanged a smile, and from that moment the man's gaze rarely left his wife. Mortimer appealed against sentence of death passed on him at Winchester Assizes for the murder of Miss Phyllis Mary Doreen Oakes, on the road at Winchfiekl, Hampshire. Miss Oakes, the daughter of Mr. Henry Oakes, clerk to the Hartley Wintnev Urban Council, was within one day of her 21st birthday when she was knocked from her cycle by a motor-car driven by Mortimer. Her body was carried for some distance on the bonnet of the car, and she died from the injuries she received. Mortimer's appeal was argued by Mr. F. J. Tucker, X.C., who submitted that it was inconceivable that Mortimer should want to harm a woman he had never seen before. He suggested that as the collision occurred when the car was driven along a winding road, the

most Mortimer could be convicted of was manslaughter. " Of course I cannot support the apSellant's action in disappearing immeiately after the occurrence," remarked Mr. Tucker. " But I do contend that the facts do not establish a prima facie case of murder." Mr. Tucker added that a plea of insanity failed at the trial, and for that reason he was not prepared to argue it further. The Court did not call on Mr. J. G. Trapnell, K.C., to argue the case for the Crown, and Lord Hewart, the Lord Chief Justice, announced that the appeal would be dismissed. The Lord Chief Justice stated that the evidence showed that not only had Mortimer run down Miss Oakes, but had served three other women cyclists in the same ir&uman manner. One of the women afterwards stated that not only had Mortimer knocked her from her cycle, but he stopped and assaulted her with his fist. The Court considered that this evidence was of crucial importance to show how Mortimer had " run amok."

No question of insanity now arose, and no fault could be found with the summing-up. Concluding, Lord Hewart paid a tribute to the manner in which Mr. Tucker had conducted the defence of Mortimer without fee. Mortimer stood to attention while judgment was being given. Directly he heard that the appeal failed he turned smartly on his heels and was escorted to the cells. Later he was taken back

to the condemned cell at Winchester Gaol. Jt was last July when the hunt for " The man with the glaring eyes " was at its height, that the police issued a list of the attacks attributed to Mortimer. Hundreds of police were kept constantly on the watch, and his description was circulated throughout the country. Bloodhounds and a number of Alsatian dogs were used in the hunt. His wife still believes in Mortimer. " For a year together," she declared, our life was one of bliss, and the coming of our baby Patricia was an added joy." Mortimer wrote letters to his wife from Winchester Gaol couched in affectionate terms. " Anyhow, they can do what they like with me," he stated in one. "I shall stick my chin out and face whatever is coming with as brave a front as possible."