BAIL REFUSED BY MAGISTRATE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 8

BAIL REFUSED BY MAGISTRATE.

LABOURER CHARGED WITH CITY BURGLARY. Bail was refused Robert William Learning, a labourer, when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning charged wkh breaking and entering the dwelling of H. Harris, in Whitmore Street. He was remanded until March 24. Mr Amodeo, who appeared for him, asked for bail. Chief-Detective Carroll opposed the granting of bail. “ This is not an ordinary case of breaking and entering,” he said. The facts were that an old man’s house had been entered and the old man himself had been badly assaulted, so much so that he had to be taken to the hospital. “ This man is fortunate,” said the Chief-Detective, “ that he is not facing a more serious charge.” Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., refused to agree to bail. Learning was arrested as he came out of the Christchurch Hospital on Saturday by Detectives R. Thompson and J. J. Halcrow. The victim of the alleged assault is Henry Harris, sixt7 3'ears of age. Harris, it is alleged, was assaulted and gagged whilst thieves ransacked his house at 14, Whitmore Street, Richmond. The detectives arrested another man this morning, and it is stated that he will finally face the Magistrate in company with Learning.

The detectives worked on the slenderest of clues. A torch was found on the premises following the crime, and a dent in the butt, it is claimed, enabled it to be identified. The victim’s story was that he was awakened at about midnight by the sound of movement in the kitchen of his three-roomed bachelor establishment. He rose from his bed without making any noise, ,and, taking his torch, went to investigate. Struck and Gagged.

When he opened the door the light of his torch shone full on two men, but before he could cry out or do anything he was struck on the head with some instrument, and fell to the floor, half-stunned. His assailants quickly tied a rag round his mouth, but he recovered and was able to tear the rag aside and shriek for help. The two men, knowing that they had no time to lose, made off, escaping through Mr Harris’s garden at the back. Neighbours, awakened by the victim’s shouts, came rushing in, and found him I) r ing on the floor bleeding plentifully from the head. Of the two men, however, there was no sign. Mr Harris was taken to hospital, telling his story on the way. He did not see his attackers clearly, but believed that they were the same two men who the previous afternoon had called at his place and bought some tomatoes. Afternoon Visit.

He had been suspicious of them at the time, and discovered later that the key to the back door was missing. This could have been taken while he was inside changing a ten r shilling note which one of the men had tendered in payment for the tomatoes. His suspicion probabU' saved him a heavy loss, for, as a result of it, he took a considerable sum of money which he had in the house and hid it outside. He went to bed as usual and slep.t until he was awakened by the thieves.