RESTAURANT SCENE

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18874, 18 February 1933, Page 19 (Supplement)

RESTAURANT SCENE

ALLEGED PISTOL ATTACK.

QUESTION OF UNPAID BILL. (From a Correspondent) LONDON. Deoember 24. Robert Cadden (27), electrical englnee", of Ponobester Place, W., 'Charged on remand, at Marlborough Street Police Court, with causing grievous bodily harm to Frederick John Dowden by striking him on the head with an automatic pistol at Lyons’ Corner House, Coventry Street, was committed for trial at the Old Bailey. lie was further charged with having in Ills possession a loaded firearm with intent to endanger life, and with obtaining 7s 5d credit by fraud. Mr Evans, who conducted the prosecution, said Cadden went to the Corner House at 8.30 p.m., and had a meal, for which he was given a bill for 7s sd. He left the table about 11 o’clock, and a waiter whose suspicions had been aroused, spoke to the manager. Stopped by Inquiry Agent. Cadden went to another table and ordered a 2d glass of milk. He paid the 2d, but did not mention the 7s 5d bill. He was stopped by Mr Warburton, an inquiry agent, with whom he asked to be allowed to speak privately. He was taken to the porters’ office, where he said he had not enough money to pay. He was allowed to telephone, as he said he had come without his wallet, but as he could not get the money he was told there was no alternative but to charge him. Mr Warburton left him in charge of Mr Dowden, another inquiry officer, who asked him to move away from the doorway of the porters’ room. “ HOLD THEM UP!” “ Cadden put his right hand to one of his pockets and produced a pistol, saying, ‘Hold them up!’” Mr Evans continued. “Dowden closed with him, and a Mr Lloyd came to his assist- ' ance- In the course of the struggle Cadden shouted. ‘ I will shoot the lot of you.’ “ He brought the pistol down on Dowden’s head, which was cut open. One of the porters took the pistol from Cadden, who then drew a life preserver from liis pocket. “ The struggle continued. ' Cadden lost, the life preserver, and it was picked up by Dowden, who hit 'Cadden on the head with it.”

Mr Evans added that the safety'catch was not on the pistol. There

was no cartridge In the toreeoh, but there were three cartridges in the magazine. Cadden was taken to Vine Street Police Station, and on the way he said, " It is a pity I had to fight for it. I might have got away with a month for fraud for the meal.”

“I Wanted Money." After he had been cautl-oned, he said, “ Perhaps It Is a good thing this happened. I wanted money, and no doubt I should have pulled somebody to-night. If they had resisted, I should have been desperate and used It. They were not blanks, you know.” Mr Dowden, describing the soene in the Corner House, said, “ Cadden suddenly pulled a pistol out of his pocket and said. 'Put ’em up 1’ “ He raised his right arm and struok me on the head with the pistol. The blow dazed me, but I picked up the life-preserver and struck him on the head with it. He was still struggling.” Mr W. It. Powell, hall porter, said that during the struggle Cadden bit his wrist. The charge against Cadden and Jerome of breaking and entering Mr Southgate’s flat in Mount Street was then proceeded with. It was stated that some of the stolen property was found at Cadden’s lodgings. He was formerly employed by Mr Southgate as a valet. The hearing of this charge was adjourned.