MAN UNDER THE BED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16353, 16 February 1921, Page 7

MAN UNDER THE BED.

AN ACTRESS’S DISCOVERY. , A REAL “SURPRISE PACKET.” J-Sliding a man under her bed was the startling experience of a member ot the “ Surprise Party ” Company, now visiting Christchurch. John Quigley was charged at y\° AJagistrate’s Court this morning <!'• being unlawfully on the premises or the Excelsior Hotel, at night, on 1 ebruary 14, with intent to commit a crime; (2) stealing a- camera valued at15s. the property of Dorothy Caridge. Air J. Clark. J.P.. and Air J- \\ . Baty. J.P., presided. Chief Detective M'llvenev prosecuted- Both charges were taken togetherThomas Joseph Tansey, son of the licensee of the Excelsior Hotel, Christchurch. said that the accused hooked a room at tlie hotel on i ebruarv 13 under the name of Stewart- A lady named Ai’Donald was staying at the hotel, and occupied room Xo. 28. About 8 p.m. on February 14, the electric light in her bedroom went wrong. \A itness went to attend to it. and, finding some tools were necessary, he left the room to get these. When he returned, ho found the accused in the room, working at the point, with a bulb in bis band, which, lie said the young lady had given him. Later it was discovered that all the top of Ilie electric light fittings had gone. Witness went out, and. coming back at 1') p.m., ho went upstairs and found Mr Af’Xeill bolding the accused outside his room, No. 25. The door of the accused’s room was locked on the inside, and he must have got out of the room by some other wav than ihe door. The police were sent for, and the accused was arrestedBeeban A I’Donald, a member of the Lint’s Surprise Packet Company, said that she was staying at the Excelsior Hotel. She bad not given the accused an electric light bulb, and had never spoken to him. Dorothy Cla ridge, another member of the Surprise Packet Company, said that she hail a room at the hotel. She had seen accused on the premises. On the night of February 14, she went to | her bedroom, and felt suspicious that somebody else was in the room. She switched on the electric light, looked under the bed. and there saw a man. against the wall. She screamed and ran along the corridor, and Air Al*Neill and others came along and dragged the accused from under the bed. Eater, she discovered that her camera was missing. : George James M’Xeill, staying at the : Excelsior Hotel, said that be was in his I bedroom, and heard a woman screamI ing. He immediately went to her asi sistance, subsequently dragging the accused from under the bed. Accused snul. ” 11 ow did I get- here- George Accused was dressed in trousers, shirt and socks. lie was sober. Accused; A\ as T awake or asleep when you pulled me out? Witness: T did not wait to «ee. You , were awake as soon as 1 grabbed vou. Detective Le Soeur said that on . searching the room that lmd been ccu- ; Pied by the accused, he found a camera. ; under a mattress. AVhen charged with ih’U 2y os<Ml it. statinthat lie had been drinking rerv boa riband hardiy km»w what he wne doin<Accused pleaded guilty, and was comto tlle Saprem<? ' Court for sen-