SLEW THREE PERSONS

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18804, 28 November 1932, Page 8

SLEW THREE PERSONS

INSANE SOLDIER'S CRIME. A COURAGEOUS CONSTABLE. United Press Assn.—Kino. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Nov. 25. 4 James Thomas Collins, aged 26, formerly a private in the 2nd Battalion of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), was found guilty to-day of murdering two women and. a girl in a wood near Ashford, but was declared to be insane. The jury commended the bravery of Police-Constable Chapman, who aided in the search and capture of accused in a forest. The Judge said his action was one of the pluckiest things he had ever known. The victims of Collins were Mrs Janie Swift, aged G 5, Mrs Jennie Trernayne Stemp, 35. and Miss Peggy Slemp, 13. Their bodies were found in King’s Wood, Cliallock, live miles from Ashford, Rearing many gunshot wounds. Constable Chapman, who was on a bicycle, noliced a stranger walking near the road and carrying a rifle on his shoulder. The man immediatlcly fell fiat on the ground, and fired in military position at the constable who drew liis revolver. Both fired several shots without effect. Collins eventually vanished into Ihe wood. The alarm was given, and shortly afterwards Chapman again encountered the armed and desperate man, this time engaging him in a 20 minutes' conversation during which time Constable Pearce managed to jump on him from behind.