RAN AMOK

NZ Truth, 15 March 1924, Page 6

RAN AMOK

Window-Smasher's Weird Exploit "Just as Well You Stopped Me." The wharf -laborer who "diverted himself on the afternoon of Thursday, March 6, by > rushing up Brandon Street, Wellington, armed with a heavy iron hook, and smashing eight of Kirkcaldie and Stains' plate-glass windows, and who afterwards observed "It is just as well you stopped me or I would have broken every damned window In your place," appeared before Magistrate Page on Wednesday to give some explanation, if ho chose, about the eight he did break. Regin-. aid Nelson White is tho accused's name, and ho was charged with having wilfully smashed £500 worth of plate glass.

The gentleman who Intercepted the wielder. of the hook after he had tapped "the olghth window, William Clouston, a buyer for the firm, said he heard tho alarm given by one of the shop girls and runhed out Into the street where the amazing spectacle met his eye. He clutched tho man with the hook by the arm and the latter immediately ■ desisted and made no resistance to being held, merely making the observation related above. Chief-detective Kemp: What condition was he In? — I would not say ho was drunk and I would not say he Was sober. Did you smell drink on him? — No, but f saw drink In him. What makes you say that? — H-3 was not too steady on his feet. Did he answer you all r'»rht? — Yes, he answered me quite clearly. Tho next witness was Charles Francis Smith, a director of the firm, who assisted m" tho capture. His opinion of the man's condition coincided with Clouston's. Tho Chief-detective: Do you know the man at all? — No. Do you know whether ho ls known to tho firm? — Not that I know of. Thon as far as you are concerned you know nothing of any motive ne may havo had? — None at all against the firm. Lawyer Jones (for accused): Did he appear to be -very excited? — No, he Hccmod very clear In his statement, but ho was a bit unsteady on his feet. Detective Cooper followed and stated that the man seemed rational enough and made hIH statement clearly, but he had had a certain amount of drink, though not enough to have been noticeable. The man bad a wife and family and was m very poor circumstances. Tho Magistrate: Thon bin mental condition is normul as far aa you _H_a_a_M_a_a__n_M_i

know? — Yes, as far as I know. He was quite normal next morning. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. In announcing that dofence would be reserved for the Supreme Court, Lawyer Jones said accused had been living with his wife and five children m rooms m Newtown, but on account, of disturbances on the part of the children the occupier took steps to eject the family. Up to the time of the offence accused was searching for new accommodation. There wore fivo children the oldest 14 years of age and tho youngest two, and an addition ' to the family was expected shortly. Counsel then appealed for bail m order that acused might help the family m their extremity. The Chief -detective: The case to my mind seems perfectly clear. It can only be accounted for by a sudden mental aberration. If ho Is granted ball he should certainly be prohibited. We havo no guaranteo that he won't do something like this again. It is unfortunate that his wife and children are m such circumstances, and that ls the only thing that would cause mo not to oppose bail. Lawyer .lone 3 Intercepted to say that a prohobltlon order was already m force against accused. The Magistrate then fixed ball ln the sum of £600, with two sureties of £250 each. Lawyer Reeves, who was watching proceedings for an Insurance company, asked what guarantee tho company would have against the man repeating his performance if he secured bail. The Magistrate: I cannot tell you. I think it is a case where ball should be granted, though 'substantial bail, and I havo fixed it accordingly. Throughout the hearing accused remained quite impassive. He Is by no means an unintelligent-looking man and lt is understood that his speech is not that of the illiterate.