MACHINE GUNS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 58, 10 March 1931, Page 4

MACHINE GUNS

USE IN BANK ROBBERIES. Tl l LEE’S FAN TASTIU STOR Y. Reference to an al.eged plan to use machine guns in robbing city banks was made in the Court at Sydney recently when Robert Neale, aged 32, a mechanic, was charged with having broken and entered the Primary Producers-’ Bank of Australia, in Sydney, and stolen a pistol and £BB 3s 9d. In giving evidence, Neale stated that on one occasion he met Norman Robert Hardy, aged 23, who had pleaded guilty to a similar charge, and another man. The latter had said to him, “ 1 want two men to go into a bank with me. There will be no ‘hands uj>,’ but one man wi.l start shooting with a machine gun right away. The other man will then start, shooting also. That is the only way to get money. Hardy will handle one machine gun; will you handle the other?” Neale added that he told the man that he would have nothing whatever to do with it. Superintendent Mackay said that Nea.e had told the police of American machine guns, which were said to be planted ” near Sydney, for use in robbing banks. “ We arranged to take Neale out so that he could show us the machine guns,” .said Mr. Mackay. "When 1 stipulated that he should be handcuffed to a detective, he refused to go, and 1 would not take the risk ot letting hini escape in the bush.’’ The jury returned a verdi’et of guilty. Detective Sergeant Matthews said he had received a report from the Queensland police that Neale had for some time been engaged in the drug traffic. His behaviour in Court was typical of a man who engaged to enter into crime and then “framed up” his companions. Neale was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

At an earlier stage in the hearing, while Mr. Crawford, Crown Prosecutor, was cross-examining Neale, the latter called out to the Crown Prosecutor: “ You are a dirty low scoundrel. You’re a liar. You are a dog.”