STABBED IN BACK

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1934, Page 6

STABBED IN BACK

BLIND PENSIONER VICTIM SERIOUS WOUNDS INFLICTED ESCAPE OP THE ASSAILANT SHOCKING AUCKLAND CRIME WAYLAID IN HIS OWN HOME By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A blind pensioner was savagely attacked and stabbed twice in the back while at his home early this evening. The assailant, who is unknown, escaped. The victim of the assault was taken to the Auckland hospital; his condition is serious. The blind man is Thomas Francis Coyne, aged 62 and married. Although seriously injured and bleeding freely from two deep knife wounds in the back Mr. Coyne was able to give a coherent account of the affairs. He said he had gone to bed early, as was his usual custom, but had occasion about 7.15 to go into the living room. He heard a man whispering, but did not catch the words. Without warning an unknown man stabbed him twice with a knife, infleting two severe gashes in Mr. Coyne’s back on the left side. Leaving the injured man the assailant fled. In spite of his wound Mr. Coyne did not collapse immediately. He called out to his wife, who was in bed, that he had been stabbed, and made his way back to the bedroom, where he fell to the floor in a semi-conscious condition. Mrs. Coyne roused relatives living next door and an'ambulance was summoned.