NO “PHANTOM”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21086, 12 July 1938, Page 7

NO “PHANTOM”

BRITON RELEASED STRANGE STORY UNFOLDED LONDON, May 27. “What, me The Phantom? Nonsense!" boomed Southampton-born Reginald P. Thurston, just freed from a Foreign Legion gaol, into a Casablanca, Morocco, telephone. From 1000 miles away he told how he had been pardoned by President Lebrun after being sentenced for life as “The Phantom" gunman who terrorised the desert city of Fez. “Sir, I am an innocent man," he went on. “And to-night, I’m having a beano in the town to celebrate.” Thurston was released from the observation ward of the Legion's hospital at Fez, nearly a year after his sentence by a military tribunal. The sentence was the culmination of a series of curious events.

Night after night “The Phantom” had been haunting Fez, wearing only shorts and sandals. (Then Thurston was arrested and was alleged to have said:

“I am the Phantom, it was I who wounded Sergeants Notet and Gallois and robbed them. I did it because I wanted money to marry Lola, a barmaid.”

But when he was charged with attempted murder he recanted his confession. People who had seen the “Phantom" came forward and said that Thurston was nothing like the tall, bearded gunman who opened fire to evade arrest. “Who was Lola?" Thurston was asked.

“That’s easily answered.” he replied. “There never was a Lola. I’d had a few drinks and I never thcught anybody would believe such a fantastic story. “A nasty feeling, to be condemned to prison for life when you know you’re innocent. I can’t tell you just how pleased I am about being a free man.”