JUVENILE “KELLY GANG.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 852, 28 August 1933, Page 8

JUVENILE “KELLY GANG.”

Police Description of Assault at Cashmere. FOUR YOUTHS FACE MAGISTRATE. tt TT'INALLY sticking a pin into their victim to see whether -F or not he was dead, the assailants made off.” This statement was made by Chief-Detective Dunlop in the Magistrate’s Court this morning in describing what took place in Cashmere on Saturday night, when a youth was allegedly assaulted by three others. lie said that there was a suggestion of a “ Kelly Gang ” or Ivu Klux Klan about the affair. A sandbag, said to have been used in the assault, was produced in court.

Four youths faced the Magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosley, on charges arising out of. the assault and subsequent investigations made b}- the police. The accused were: Philip Percival Sharp. 17 years of age, a printer, living at Fisher Street, who was charged that on August 20 he stole six shillings, the property of Thomas Allan Crawshaw. William Joseph Ilallins. 18 years of age. a stoker, living in Rolleston Street, and Stanley Thomas Allan Crawshaw. 17 years of age, a student, living in Manchester Street, who were jointly charged with assaulting Philip Percival Sharp at Cashmere on August 26; Norman Frederick Fletcher, IS years of age. a signwriUr, living at Page’s Road, who was charged with breaking and entering St Mary's Church. Merivale, on August 25 and committing theft. All four were remanded to appear on September 5. Mr Amodeo appeared for Sharp and Hallins, Mr Milliken for Crawshaw, and Mr Twyneham for Fletcher. Bound and Gagged. C-hiof-Detective Dunlop said that at 8 o’clock on Saturday night Sharp went down to Cashmere Hills, having received an anonymous letter asking him to go there. On arrival he was seized by three other youths. A portion of his hair was cut off and he was bound and gagged, and then hit on the head with a sandbag. Finally the assailants stuck a pin into their victim to see if he was dead or not,” said the chief-detective. “ One of the youths had a shotgun. There is suggestion of a Kelly gang or a Ku Klux Klan about this affair.” Other Charges Pending. In submitting that possibly the case might be remanded to the Children’s Court, the chief-detective added that

other charges would be laid when investigations had been completed. I want to hear all the facts before I remand the accused there, let me tell you,” said Mr Mosley. “ Charges of theft, breaking and entering and unlawful conversion of cars are all in it, sir,” replied the chiefdetective. Mr Amodeo, who appeared for Sharp, asked whether the Magistrate would consider the suppression of name. Sharp was the boy who had been assaulted. The chief-detective: Although Sharp was assaulted for breaking the gang's order, he is involved in the charges. Mr Amodeo: Sharp is living at home with his father, who knew nothing about the affair until informed by detectives on Sunday morning. Mr Mosley: There is no suggestion that the father had anything to do with the case. Mr Amodeo: Not at all, sir, but the father will look after the boy. “ Spirit of Adventure.” “ The police have given you the bones of the case,” said Mr Milliken to the Magistrate, “ and the way they have done that might make it appear more serious than it really is. The Magistrate might think that it is more of a boyish prank in the spirit of adventure.” Mr Mosley: Oh! spirit of adventure! Have you seen that sandbag? There is not much spirit of adventure in that, is there ? Mr Milliken: Oh! no, no, possibly not. Mr Mosley: It is all very well for counsel to talk about spirit of adventure. This is the kind of spirit that has to be put a stop to. Mr Amodeo said that Hallins’s employers were prepared to take him back. Bail was allowed in the sum of £IOO and two sureties of £SO for each accused.

Mr Amodeo: Will your Worship consider suppression of name? Mr Mosley: I will not.