PRISONER’S ESCAPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19012, 7 November 1923, Page 8

PRISONER’S ESCAPE.

JUMPS FROM TRAINS. A REMARKABLE RECORD. Recently the New South Wales Government made an official explanation, on behalf of the police, respecting the escape of a prisoner from a train on a country line. The matter was recalled at tho Sydney Quarter Sessions last week, when the details of the escape were furnished in evidence against Herbert Robert Stanley, aged 25 years, who pleaded guilty to eight charges of shopbreaking in the country. Stanley, who received a sentence of four years’ im prisonment, and other sentences to he concurrent, was described by Judge Scholes to be “a very dangerous criminal.” It was stated that Stanley, in company with his brother, Edmund Stanley, aged 30 years, and John Charles Dangate, aged 18 years, was a passenger by the southern train, which arrived at Strathfield on June 29. Detectives Geldart and Royal were waiting on the platform to intercept the three, when the accused oived through a carriage window as the train was moving, and ho escaped. The other two men were arrested. The escapee was subsequently arrested at Temora, but he tripped up a constable in the local lock-up and made a dash for liberty in and out of buildings, which included (he hospital. He was caught, however. and conveyed to Goulburn Gaol. While under escort fnr Cootamundra. to stand his trial. Stanley lowered himself from a window oi a fast-moving train and disappeared into the bush. Later he returned to Temora, whore the police found him under a bed, and he was forced to surrender. Stanley was then transferred to Young Gaol, where the police learnt that he was associated with another prisoner in plans to escape. A steel bar and a pot of pepper wore seized. Stanley was then conveyed to Long Bay Gaol. The accused lived in Temora, and went round the district on a motor bicycle committing his depredations. Detective Geldart stated that he believed Stanley to bo the leader of a country shopbreaking gang. He had a reckless disregard of consequences.