“SPARE MY LIFE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23111, 10 February 1937, Page 16

“SPARE MY LIFE”

ELDERLY MAN ROBBED Suddenly attacked by two men in his workshop in Ladywood, Birmingham, recently, an elderly cycle repairer, Samuel Joseph Palmer, found that his head had been covered with an overcoat, which was tied round his neck. After that his wrists and arms were tied and he was bound to a vyce. “ Spare my life. You can have my money,” he cried. Something was pushed into his mouth as a gag. and he felt the burning sensation of accumulator acid on his lips. After the departure of the two men. Frederick Sayce, aged 32, and Joseph Howard, aged 25. Palmer managed to get loose by struggling. He then discovered that a bag, containing £26 10s in notes and £3 10s in silver and a ring had been stolen. Indicted at Birmingham Assizes for robbery with violence, both men pleaded euilty. Sayce was described ns a persistent and dangerous thief, whose sentences during the past six years totalled 50 months’ imprispnment. Howard was still on probation on a charge of burglary. Mr Justice Atkinson ordered Sayce 15 months’ hard labour and 15 strokes with the birch rod. Howard was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.