"NOW PUT THEM UP.”

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18874, 18 February 1933, Page 12 (Supplement)

"NOW PUT THEM UP.”

In the dock before the magistrate , at Marlborough Street, London, was Robert Cadden, 27, electrical engineer, of Porchester Place, \V., charged causing grievous bodily harm to Frederick John Dowdcn, a house detective at Lyons' Corner House, Coventry Street, W. It was stated at ttic last hearing by Sergeant Rhodes that he found Cadden lying on the lloor at the Corner House with his head bleeding. An automatic pistol and a life-preserver were lying on a desk. The breech of the pistol was empty, hut there were three bullets In the magazine. Mr Vincent Evans, prosecuting, stated that there was also a charge against Cadden of being in possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and a further charge of obtaining credit from Messrs Lyons by fraud. Mr Evans refilled that Cadden ordered a meal costing 7s ;>d at the Coventry Street Corner House and then went to another table, where in had a glass of milk, for which he was given a bill for twopence. This he paid. Cadden was approached by Hie malinger and an inquiry agent, and he said lie had not enough money to pay the pill. He was taken to the porters olilce and left in charge of Hie manager and Mr Howden. “I'll Slvoot tho Lot.” Mr Dowdon asked Cadden to > omf i,v. r. from the door. "Cadden then put ids n-'hl hand Into one of his pockets," alleged Mr

Inquiry Agent’s Vivid Story. Automatic Pistol and a Life-preserver.

Evans, “and produced a pistol. He pointed it at Dowden, saying, ‘Now hold them up.’ “Dowden closed with him and the manager came to his assistance. ’ Mr Evans added, “In tho struggle Cadden said, ‘l’ll shoot the lot of you.’ There was a severe struggle, and in the course of it Cadden brought the pistol down on Dovvdcn’s head and cut It open. "The pistol was taken away from him, and he then drew a life-preserver from Ills pocket. Dowdon got It. and struck Cadden on the head. That quietened him.” Both men were treated at a hospital, and later Cadden was alleged to have said, "Perhaps It is a good thing it has happened after all. I wanted money, and no doubt I should have, pulled somebody for It. If lliev had resisted I should have been desperale and used it. They were not blanks, you know." Story of Struggle. Mr Dowden, who gave his address as Herrington B°ad, Tooling, told a vivid story. "Suddenly,” he declared, "Cadden

pulled a pistol out of his pocket and said, ‘Now put them up 1’ I Instantly grasped his hand, pointing the pistol to tho floor. “Eventually he wrenched his hand away from my grasp. I closed with him again. 1 saw him raise his right arm, and he struck me on the head with the pistol. I saw the life-pre-server on the lloor, so I picked It up and hit him on the head with it.” Mr Frederick Victor Lloyd, manager of the Corner House, told the court that when Cadden struck Dowden he heard a click, followed by a crack as Ihe pistol iiit, Dowden’s head. "Dowden said, ‘My God, lie has got me, sir,'" continued Mr Lloyd; "and I thought Dowden had been shot. Eventually Cadden was overpowered, and Imwden struck him On the head with Hie life-preserver." iin I hose charges Cadden was cornmilled for trial at the Old Bailey. I.alcr Cadden was Joined in the I I -“ifk by Waller Jerome. ?.'t. described as of no lived abode. Both were charged with breaking inlo a tint in Monti! Ft reel, W and stealing and receiving properly valued at AH>.>. They were remanded.