ROBBERY CHARGE

Southland Times, Issue 21728, 14 June 1932, Page 6

ROBBERY CHARGE

HOLD-UP IN CITY TWO MEN BEFORE COURT ACCOUNTANT ASSAULTED (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 13. Arrested a few hours after the sensational hold-up in the city about mid-day on May 27, Francis John Peckham, aged 36, a ship’s fireman, and William Keough, aged 29, a seaman, were charged in the Police Court with robbing Richard T. Dias of £lO6, and with using personal violence. Dias, an accountant, said that for 15 years it had been his custom to cash the wages cheques on Fridays. He said the accused were two of three men he saw on the street when he was going to the bank. At the bank he received £146, including 124 £1 notes, which he placed in his inside pocket, and twenty 10/- notes which he put in his trouser pocket, and £l2 in silver in an outside pocket. When returning he saw the three men near the shop. Peckham hit him under the ear and knocked him down. His head was held down on the footpath and he felt hands going through his pockets. On getting up he saw Keough standing on the running board of a small car. He did not see Peckham then, but identified him the next morning in an identification parade. Cross-examined, he said he attended three identification parades and in the first one recognized nobody. Witness asked leave to make a statement, and then said that last Thursday and Friday he had received two telephone messages from persons who said that if he did not deal lightly with the accused in Court they would make it hot for him.

Auckland, June 13,

A labourer who saw the assault and robbery said it was done by Keough and two other men. He was not prepared to identify Peckham. Another eye-witness said he picked out Keough in an identification parade but was unable to recognize the other accused.

A third eye-witness indentified Peckham but not Keough. Both the accused were committed to the Supreme Court for trial.