POLICE CHASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24539, 23 March 1943, Page 2

POLICE CHASE

END IN MILITARY CAMP OFFENCES BY TWO SOLDIERS j (0.C.) PALMEBSTON NORTH, Monday The story of a police chase after a | motor-car in the early hours of Sunday morning and the subsequent arrest of two soldiers in a camp was told in the Police Court when tlij? two soldiers admitted several charges. It was stated that a car being driven erratically in Main Street, Palmerstou North, at 3.30 on Sunday morning attracted the attention of Constable C. Haresnape, who attempted to follow it on a bicycle. Then he obtained assistance from a passing motorist and they followed the tracks of the "wanted" vehicle. They were just in time to see the car turn into a military encampment. Constable Haresnape then gave chase on foot. In and out of rows of huts went two soldiers. They entered a hut and when the constable opened the door they were undressing hurriedly. The constable recognised them as two soldiers whose names he had taken earlier in the night at a dance. He took them nine miles back to Palmerston North and charged them with unlawfully converting a car to their own use. In the possession of one of the men was found some American money. There was also blood on their tunics. Later lan American serviceman was found | lying in a vacant section adjoining the I dance hall where the two accused had been. After he had been attended to at the watch-house it was discovered that Iris wallet and money were missing. The two soldiers admitted assaulting him. The accused, Dennis Patrick Clarence Genneli, aged 20, and James Maxwell Hunter, aged 21, pleaded guilty before Mr. H. P. La wry, S.M., to several charges connected with tho facts related. For being in possession of liquor at a dance each was fined £4. In respect of the car conversion Genneli was sent to gaol for 12 months and Hunter for three months. Each man received 14 days' imprisonment for assault, the terms to be cumulative in Hunter's case. Hunter was also sentenced to a month's imprisonment for the theft of the American's wallet and money, this charge being preferred against him separately. On a further charge of assault so as to cause bodily harm the accused were remanded for a week. Senior-Sergeant Meikeljohn paid a tribute to smart work by Constable Haresnape in the chase.