FOUR PRISONERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 11

FOUR PRISONERS.

- —■ ■ o ■ ■ ! AN ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. CAUGHT IN THE ACT. Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 18. Sensational evidence was heard in ; the Magistrate's Court to-day when George Crowther, Hector McLean, (■lias. Hazedline, and John Campbell • Birch, four prisoners, who attempt- ' ed to escape from the Terrace Goal |on Saturday last, were charged I that, wilii intent lo commit a I crime, they did, by violent means, ! render ('.has. Edward Spittall, a warder, incapable of resistance. The evidence showed that McLean ! attacked Spittall, while Ike latter was attending to a radiator in a | room in which clothes were made. : One of the other prisoners also assisted him, and the warder was rendered unconscious. When he came to, he was hound and gagged, but | managed to crawl on his hands and ; ! knees to an electric bell. Assistance ! came, and the prisoners were recaptured in the storeroom at the point | of the revolver. | They had opened one door and , forced another, hut siill had two, I doors to force before regaining liberty. j The assault was evidently committed by sandbags, two of which were j produced in court. The prisoners pleaded not guilty i i and were committed for trial.