SOLDIER IN MASK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 4 June 1938, Page 21

SOLDIER IN MASK

DAYLIGHT ROBBERY WOMAN’S BAG SNATCHED s An alarming experience that befell * nursing-home sister had a sequel at Liverpool Assizes, when an ex-soldier, Richard Barnes, aged 22, of Kensington, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to rob* bery, but not guilty to a charge of violence. . , These pleas were accepted. - It was explained by Mr Ralph Etheiv ton, prosecuting, that on March 11 last. Sister Ann Crerar, of the Robert Davies Nursing Home, was walking through Sandfield Park, West Derby, when she heard footsteps behind hem “ In the next instant," said Mr Ether* ton, “prisoner snatched Miss Crerars handbag and then ran away. His facf was masked and Miss Crerar was *0 frightened that she fell down. “Her screams drew the attention of a cyclist, motorists, errand boy, and a constable, and all took up the chase. “Eventually they found Barnes lying breathless in a garden, with the stolen handbag, containing £1 12s sd, a wallet and other articles beside him. Detective Inspector Sullivan informed the judge that Barnes, when he coir£ milted the offence, was home on leav<? from the Prince of Wales’ Volunteers, stationed at Warrington. Mr Justice Atkinson ordered Barnet to be detained in a Borstal institution for three years.