FARMER ASSAULTED.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13089, 24 October 1935, Page 3

FARMER ASSAULTED.

ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE.

CHRISTCHURCH TRIAL. Electric Telegraph—Tress Association CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. 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 Donnelly, said the case was one of common robbery but it was rather more cowardly than usual. A retired farmer named Golding, aged 70, came to Christchurch with £l6 in his possession. He A'isited hotels and met the accused. The pair went to the Grand Hotel and when Golding entered the urinal accused and a man named Clelland, now serving 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 second man connected in the robbery. Evidence was given along the lines of Mr Donnelly’s address. In evidence, Sampson Robert Clelland declared that he committed tlie crime himself. Mr Donnelly: “You made a statement to the police saying Armstrong was the man who assisted you in the robbery of Golding.” Clelland: “I did and then denied it. I was trying to settle 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 retired at 12.5.