ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 793, 25 August 1916, Page 8

ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE

IN HOTEL RIGHT-OF-WAY. TWO YOUNG MEN CHARGED. A charge of assaulting and robbing W. Edward McManus of £2 12/- was preferred against two young men, Edward Dobin McGee and William Gilliland, at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M. The accused pleaded not guilty. Mr Cassidy appeared for McGee and Chief-Detective Herbert prosecuted for the Police. W. Edward McManus, a gardener living at Methvcn, said that on the evening of August 15 he visited the Cafe de Paris and cashed £1 there. He also had £8 in notes in his inside coat pocket, and two £1 notes and silver in his right hand trouser pocket. He left the hotel premises about closing time (10 p.m.). Two men accosted him outside, and one asked where witness was staying. Witness said “the Oxford Hotel,” and one of the men claimed he was also staying there. They suggested accompanying him, but witness was unable to say whether the men went with him. On arrival, witness went to the convenience at the back of the premises, but found himself “chuckled” in by two men. By “chuckled,” witness meant he was forced. Witness called out, and one man grasped witness by the throat and prevented him from making further outcry. Witness fell his watch chain being pulled and broken. The next thing witness knew was that someone said, “be quiet, mate. I’m going for the police.” Witness did not remember getting a blow, but found himself on the ground. There was so sign of the men when witness “came to.” part of the watch chain was missing, while only 3/G in silver remained in witness’s trouser pocket. He estimated his loss was £2 12/-. Witness then went into the hotel to wash, and found his left eye was black, his rest* was bleeding, while (here was a scratch on the mouth. His clothes were covered with blood in places. Witness could not identify the men who assaulted him, and did not remember ever seeing the men in the dock before. To Mr Cassidy' Witness had a few drinks during the day (Grand National day), and had some drinks on (he racecourse. Witness did not know how many drinks —he did not enter them in a note book. George Wonnacolt said on the Tuesday evening he was standing outside the Cafe de Paris Hotel, and saw the two accused accost and speak to McManus. McGee said to McManus, “How is Methvcn?” and also said his name was Mahoney, and that lie was a wnolclasser who lived at Methvcn. The parlies talked together for five minutes, and tb.cn walked away together towards ihe Oxford Hotel. Witness followed them. On reaching the Oxf ;d Hotel McManus went towards the right-of-way, and was followed by the two accused. Witness at this time was standing with a friend at the fruit shop corner nearly opposite. Witness’s friend crossed over, and also went into ihe right-of-way, but came out a moment later. As the friend was rejoining witness, he (witness) heard a scream and McGee came out, to be followed about a minute later bv Gilliland. Before McGee actualh left the righl-of-wav witness sav’d:'! look cautiously round the corner several times. When Gilliland came out. witness said, "it’s a!! right, I've got your name, i'll ‘no! - you.” Gilliland said nothing, but walked hurriedly awav. Witness then entered the riebt-of-way. and found MeManus Ivina down, bleeding and groaning. Witness noticed that McManus’s watch chain was broken. Witness had known McGee for a number of years, and identified MeGiliiland at the Police Station from eight or ten other men. To Mr Cassidy; Witness had been working that day and only had one drink. Albert Poster, who was in the company of the previous witness on Ihe night in question, said that he (Poster), went into the right of way and remained there for a few minutes before the time the alleged assault was committed. While witness was there, the two accused ; a-.d MeManus were the only other I occupants of the lane. Subsequently witness identified Gilliland at the Police Station. Chas. Willett, who was next called, was stated by the Chief Detective to be a hostile witness, and appeared f .o

give his evidence with great reluanee. lie was ordered to sta" down. Detective R. Ward said at 10. p.m. on August 15 he saw McMam in company with Wonnacoll a> Foster, talking to the licensee of t ! Oxford Hotel. Witness detailed It condition of the face, hands, ar clothes of McManu,s, who made complaint to witness. McManus watch chain was broken. On in speeding the right-of-way witne found blood stains. Previously, ea lier in the evening, he saw the tv. accused together. The following da witness arrested McGee and told hi that he was alleged to have assaulte and robbed McManus in tiic Oxfor Hotel right-of-way. McGee denie this, and said he was not in the Cat de Paris Hotel the previous evenin but had been with Gilliland. La! witness saw Gilliland who denie the offence. Acting-Detective Jas. Tonks com boralcd the evidence of Detectiv Ward, as to the arrest of Gillilan and McGee. Accused reserved their defence and were committed to the Suprem Court for trial, bail being allowed i, each case in two sureties of £SO.