PRISON ESCAPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22983, 10 March 1938, Page 21

PRISON ESCAPE

YOUNG MAN'S LIBERTY BURGLARY AT OTOROHANGA [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday Charged with escaping from custody while serving a sentence of two years' imprisonment at the Waikeria Borstal Institution, and with breaking and entering the counting house of Dear and Costley, at Otorohanga, and stealing £7 3s 7d, Richard Jackson Ruff Moyle, aged 27, labourer, appeared before Messrs. J. Primrose and A. K. Alexander, J.P.'s, in the Police Court at Hamilton to-day. Moyle pleaded guilty to both charges. A deputy ivarder at Waikeria, James Alexander Rooney, said Moyle was transferred from the institution to a camp on February 15. He escaped on February 20 at 7.30 p.m. Evidence -was given by Charles Edward Mitchell Hyde, an assistant employed in the store and garage of Dear and Costley in Otorohanga, that he locked the premises before leaving work on the evening of February 23. On his return the next morning he noticed clothing lying in the building and found that the safe had been opened and £7 3s 7d removed. Statements made by Moyle on March 4 were produced by Detective J. Hayes. In these the accused admitting entering the garage, changing into civilian clothes and removing the monoy. Subsequently ho proceeded to Wellington and surrendered to the police on February '26. Moyle was remanded to appear in tho Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence. DID NOT LIKE WAIKERIA YOUNG MAORI'S COMPLAINT [by telegraph—OWN* con RESPONDENT]] TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday The young Maori, Moses Tito, who escaped from the Waikeria prison farm on February 21 and was recaptured several days later at Korakonui, appeared before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., in the To Awamutu Police Court today charged with escaping from custody. He asked to be dealt with by a jury, but later changed his plea to one of guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. Accused said he was transferred to Waikeria from the Auckland gaol and that he wished to be returned to Auckland. He did not like Waikeria, where he had no friends. The magistrate said that a man undergoing three years' detention could hardly expect to bo allowed to pick and choose where he would pay the penalty for his offences. Accused was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, the term to be subject to review according to his behaviour.