ESCAPES FROM PRISON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20283, 16 December 1927, Page 12

ESCAPES FROM PRISON.

A WARDER ASSAULTED. COMMITTED TO SUPREME CODE!. (Special io Daile Times.) AUCKLAND, December 15. Charges arising out of the recent escapes of two prisoners were heard in the Police Court before justices of the peace to-day. William Henry Grant, aged 33, was charged with escaping from Mount Eden Gaol and with assaulting a warder, John Booth. James Dickinson, prison snnerintendent, said that Grant was an habitual criminal. He escaped on December t when he was performing early duties. Warder Booth, in evidence, said he was making his usual rounds at 1.45 a.m. on December 7. While he was closing the wicket gate at one entrance Grant rushed from a recess close to the state, and witness received a blow on the left side oi the head. He saw Grant for a fraction of a second, and he appeared to have ' wooden trestle in his hand. The prisoner was employed in the bakehouse at the time. Another warder gave evidence as w» finding Warder Booth in a dazed condition, bleeding from a wound on the head. It was then found that Grant had escaped. The story of the chase in Williamson avenue, Grey Lynn, and the capture of ' Grant was related by Constable Moore. The accused pleaded rot guilty to tha charge, and reserved his defence. On the assault charge he was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. In connection with the charge of escaping from custody preferred against Robert James Bryden, aged 39, the Prison Superintendent said that the prisoner was an habitual criminal. As the result of an injurv to his heel he had to attend the Auckland Hospital as an out-patient. !U escaned from the hospitas. The Prisoner pleaded cuilty. and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.