THE NEW PLYMOUTH HIGHWAYMAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4767, 6 October 1893, Page 3

THE NEW PLYMOUTH HIGHWAYMAN.

Found Guilty. Eight Years' Imprisonment, [Per Pbess Association.J NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 5. Bobert Herman Wsllath, the highwayman, was indicted at the Supreme Court today on three counts — That he did on July | 20 shoot a revolver at one Harold John S -Mole Thompson with intent (1) to maim, (2) to disable, and (3) to do grievous bodily harm. Several witnesses were examined for the prosecution, who gave details of the capture of the highwayman. Counsel, in opening the caee for the defence, Btated that the defence would be that the shot that was fired was unintentionally discharged, and that Wallath did not intend to injure or kill Thompson. He called the prisoner, who stated : — " lam a carpenter, and I did reside at Wesfctown< I remember the night of Thursday, July 20. It was about half-past nine, just after all at home had gone to bed, when I went to my room, dressed in uniform and went quietly out without any of them knowing. I got one of our horses and rode into New Plymouth with it. I left the horse hitohed up to a tree, and went down through a back way into the Criterion Hotel. When I got into the passage I sang out "Bail up/ and at the same time pointed my revolver through a side window. I saw Mrs Cottier at the bar. As soon as I saw it was a woman I drew the revolver back. A man named Simmons was standing at the opening. I just passed him and walked down the passage with the intention of going out through the front, when jußt at the corner I was run iato by some one whom I did not know, I was

then carrying the revolver in a sloping down poßiffion. [ cannot account how the Bhot went off, but I think the revolver must have been knocked apwards. That is the only way how I caa make ottt it went off." The case is still proceeding. Counsel was addressing the jury at 8 p.m., and is not expected to conclude till midnight. ©CT. 6. Wallath's case occupied all yepterday afternoon and evening. The accused, who waa charged with sticking-up the Criterion Hotel and ehooting at Harold Thomson, was abiy defended by Mr T. SbaiJer Weston. The Jury, who- were about four hours considering their verdict, found the accused guilty. Wallath, for Bhooting with intent, wao sentenced to eight years' hard -labour ano for demanding by threats to three years'' hard labour, the sentences to run concurrently. A nolle prosequi 13 likely to be entered by the Crown in the case of burglary with which the prisoner haa been charged. When sentence was passed, Wallath cried bitterly.