POLICE MISLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22981, 8 March 1938, Page 13

POLICE MISLED

SHOTS FIRED ON FARM ALLEGED ATTEMPTS ON LIFE YOUNG MAN'S FALSE STORY FACTS REVEALED IN COURT You ought to be extremely grateful to your employer for his consideration," remarked Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Otahuhu Police Court yesterday to a farm labourer, Alan Lindsay Galloway, aged 22, who was charged with making a false statement to the police. Defendant pleaded guilty. Sergeant Doel said the case had unusual features. Shortly after eight o'clock on Sunday, February 20, the Otahuhu police were advised by Mr. Rothery, defendant's employer, of Mangere, that there had been a shooting affair on the farm. Two constables were sent to investigate and when th® serious nature of the case suggested itself on preliminary inquiries, five officers, including a fingerprint expert, were sent from the city. Defendant in his first statement to the police said that on the previous Friday night, when he was returning to his bach on the farm, there was a loud explosion and a bullet from a gun passed close to him. He hs.d said he believed someone was trying to shoot him. Defendant mentioned the matter to his employer. String Tied to Trigger The next evening defendant had visited the picture theatre and stated that when he returned to his bach and opened the door there was an explosion and a discharge of shot. A shotgun was tied to the table in the bach with a string fastened to the trigger and the door. Defendant said it looked as though someone was trying to kill him. In a later statement defendant admitted that he himself had been responsible for tying the gun to the table and discharging it into the woodwork. To do this he had removed the bach window to get outside after fastening the door. The defendant had put the police to a considerable amount of trouble and expense by his statement. In reply to the magistrate, defendant said he had nothing to say. "I can well believe that," commented Mr. McKean. Considerate Employer Mr. Rothery said he wished to make a statement 011 defendant's behalf. He had found defendant a decent, hard working young man. If he was given consideration by the Court he would be well looked after on the farm. "It is difficult to understand defendant's mentality," said the magistrate. People who made false statements involving the country in expense were not entitled to consideration. He would impose a fine of £lO. When defendant asked for time to pay, his employer said the fine would most likely be paid for him. "It is fortunate for you that you have such a considerate employer," said Mr. McKean in granting three weeks for payment.