CRIME OF VIOLENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 9

CRIME OF VIOLENCE

ASSAULT AND ROBBERY COWARDLY ATTACK ON OLD MAN (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, October 23. A plea of not guilty was entered in the Supreme Court to-day by John Robert Armstrong to a charge of robbery with violence. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr A. T. Donnelly) said the case was one of common robbery, but it was rather more cowardly than usual. A retired former named Golding, aged 70, came to Christchurch with £l6 in his possession. He visited hotels and met the accused. The pair went to the Grand Hotel and when Golding entered a lavatory the accused and a man named Clelland, now serving a sentence, followed him, Clelland jumping on the old man's back while the accused went through his pockets. Clelland had already admitted the offence. Later Golding identified Armstrong as the man concerned in the robbery. In evidence Sampson Robert Clelland declared that he committee? the crime himself. " Mr Donnelly: You maCe a statement to the police saying Armstiong was the man who assisted you in robbing Golding. Clelland: I did, and then denied it. I was trying to oettle an old score with Armstrong. Detective Parrish said he found Armstrong hiding under a bed Armstrong made a statement denying all connection with the offence. The jury returned a verdict of guilty with a strong recommendation to mercy because of the accused oeing influenced by undesirable associates'. His Honor: Your reedtnuendation will be taken notice of, but ipojsibly you arc unaware that the prisoner has a long list of convictions and was possibly mo e dangerous to his associates than they were to him. The recommendation, however, will be taken in hecount.