S.M. PRAISES YOUTH FOR ATTACKING BURGLAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17879, 22 June 1926, Page 1

S.M. PRAISES YOUTH FOR ATTACKING BURGLAR.

SAVED RESIDENTS IN CHRISTCHURCH FROM UNWELCOME ATTENTIONS.

FOUGHT MIDNIGHT BATTLE WITH MARAUDER NEAR SHIRLEY LINKS.

I think that it is timely to make a statement on behalf of the public commending the action of this youth, Geoffrey Rushworth, in attacking accused as he did under the circumstances. Although accused got away, he left evidence which enabled him to be identified. The Chief-Detective has just told me that accused has a long list of previous convictions. The action of this youth of eighteen has prevented the property of citizens from being further despoiled.

These words were spoken by Mr TI. A. Young, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at the conclusion of the hearing of a charge of breaking, entering and theft at Shirley against Joseph John M'Lintock. Chief-Detective Gibson endorsed the Magistrate’s statement, and added that a passing motorist had refused assistance. M’Lintock was charged with breaking and entering by night the dwellinghouse of Harold Rush worth and stealing £7 10s in money. He was not represented by counsel. Harold Rush worth, of 21, Golf Links Road, Shirley, said that he had a son .called Geoffrey. On June 12 he and his wife retired to bed at 11 p m. All the doors were closed, but the back door was not locked as his son was out. At 1.15 a.m. he examined his cash box and'found £6 missing. Some money was also missing from his wife’s purse and a bag. Ills'son' was with him at the time and they went half a mile down the Shirley Road. They found £5 10s at night and 10s after daylight. The notes found were identical with the missing ones. Accused had no light to enter his house at the time. *■ Geoffrey Rushworth, a son of the previous witness, said he was eighteen years of age. On June 13 he was rc

turning home at a quarter to one in the morning. He noticed a racing bicycle against the fence of his home. He went towards the back yard and saw the shadow of a man coming to the bicycle. Witness followed on his bicycle, and caught up with the man within half a mile. Witness accused the intruder of being on the premises illegally. This was denied and witness tried to make the man return. They had a fight and witness got an electric torch, some silver, and a money bag from the man. The intruder broke away at the corner of Shirley* and Marshland Roads, where he ran across the paddocks, leaving the bicycle. Witness recognised the man as M'Lintock, who was in the dock. John Suckling, cycle dealer, recognised the bicycle produced in Court as one of his make. He held a bailment over it signed by accused. Detective J. Bickerdike said that on June 15, in company with Acting-De-tective Studholm. he arrested accused at Papanui. M’Lintock admitted the offence, and said that he had had a fight with a man and bad got away. He identified the bicycle as his property*. M’Lintock had nothing to say and pleaded guilty. He. was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was not asked lor.