BERKELEY HOTEL ROBBERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15826, 26 July 1913, Page 9

BERKELEY HOTEL ROBBERY

OFFENDERS PUNISHED.

SUBSTANTIAL SENTENCES.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

LONDON, July 24.

Fell and Stephen SHarman were sentenced to 14 years each for the Berkeley Hotel robbery with violence, James Sharman to 10 years, and Arthur James to 6cven years.

A sensational burglary and outrage took place. at the Berkeley Hotel, in Piccadilly, iit the end of May. The safe was rifled* of money and jewellery valued at £3000.

About 3 o'clock cries of "Murder!" and " Police!" were heard proceeding from the hotel, and officers hurried to the front door, but found it locked. They forced an entrance, and in the .hall stumbled over the prostrate form of a nigbfc porter named Henry Gowers, bleeding from a serious wound in the head. He had been gagged with a blue silk handkerchief, and on the floor not far away lay a blood-stained chisel, a now implement of finely-tempered steel with which lie had been struck.

Another night porter named Arthur James was discovered bound in an office, also on tho' ground floor. He, too, was injured about tho ihead, but, fortunately, only slightly. It was James's cries which had attracted tho attention of the police. Ho was also gagged, and rendered unconscious, and it was about an lour and a-half after tho attack before ho was ablo to give the alarm, which for 6ome time passed unheeded. James told the polico that ho and Gowers had been suddenly assailed by <i number of men—three or four, he believes— but he could only tho vaguest description of their assa'lants. Gowers was taken to the hospital and detained.

Tho eafo was robbed of everything it contained except a lady's grey suede bag and a small mimbpr of French coins.

Among the jewellery missing was a pearl necklace consisting of graduated pearls. Therewas also a number of antique rings sot with pearls, d'amonds, and emeralds, and,several opal brooches. A chisel a foot long was loft behind. It is stated that the creator part of the jewellery stolen bclontrod to Miss F. Moore and 1 Miss Cifsio Andrews.