STREET SHOOTING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19042, 16 June 1936, Page 5

STREET SHOOTING

MURDER INTENT ALLEGED

ALIBI ESTABLISHED

." SYDNEY, June 5. ~ A robbery, accompanied by pepper- , throwing and shooting, in Oxford street, Sydney, on November 9, 1934, was recalled in the Central Criminal Court yesterday, when Thomas Edward Croft, 30, baker, who was charged before Mr. Justice Street and a jury, established that he, was not in New South Wales when the offence was committed. Croft was charged with having feloniously wounded George Augustus Oakman, with intent to murder, and with having maliciously wounded Oakman, with intent to avoid arrest. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. L. J. McKean, K.C., said that Oakman had been employed by Winn's, Limited, drapers, Oxford street. About noon on November 9, 1934, Oakman had been to the bank, and he was returning to the shop with f2O in - silver arid copper. When Oakman as on the steps leading from Oxford 'street, a man threw pepper in his eyes, and seized th« bag containing the money. :■ Practically blinded for a moment, Oakman did not see his assailant, but be saw a man jump into a motor car which was waiting with the engine running). Oakman gave chase, and tried to prevent the car from moving away. A shot was fired, and the bullet struck Oakman in a thigh. CONSTABLE'S EVIDENCE

Leslie James Clyne said he was accompanying Oakman. Something, apparentfy a pad, was thrust before witness' eyes. He saw two people running away, and he followed. Constable G. F. Page said he was in a tram when he saw a man throw something! in Oakman's face and escape with the bag. Witness joined in the chase and saw Oakman seize the bumper bar of the car. When witness was within a few yards of the motor car, the man who had seized the bag fired a shot at Oakman. * Constable Page said he identified Croft . as the man who had grabbed the bag and firee} the shot. In a statement from the dock, accused said he was staying with his parents at Caatlemaine, Victoria, on November 9, ■ 1934. He knew nothing of the robbery in Sydney on that day. Uupert Bird, prison warder, said he saw Croft in Castlemaine at that time. . Croft was then working at the home of sis parents. • r -After' a few minutes' retirement, the jury k found Croft not guilty on both charges.