ESCAPEE CHARGED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 212, 13 September 1940, Page 5

ESCAPEE CHARGED

PLEA OF GUILTY ENTERED) COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE Charged that with being a persan in lawful custody he did escape front such custody, Arthur Mitchell Wray, aged 25, who made a dash for liberty when proceeding from Rotorua to Whakatane on remand on a charge of abduction, pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence when he appeared before Messrs G. A. Brabant and J. G. Mulholland, Justices of the Peace, yesterday. Constable Iliddel], of Rolorua, I said that on Fridaj', August 30th he was escorting the prisoner in prisoner's own car. They left Rotorua at 10..15 a.m. From the moment they left prisoner, who was driving, complained of stomach pains and at the 32 mile peg, near the Rotoma hill, he complained further of illness. Prisoner stopped the car and witness followed but was halted when he had to give way! to a car. Wit- 1 ness detailed subsequent events and the police search. Cross-examined by Mr Barry, Constable Riddell said the prisoner had not given him any trouble previously and was quite well behaved in every way. Prisoner Completely Exhausted. Sergeant Farrell, describing the recapture, said that he jDroceeded to Fcnton's Mill on the evening of Sunday, September Ist. He found accused in a hut near the mill. Witness said that Wray had told him he escaped because he wanted to see his Whakatane solicitor and was under the impression that he would not be allowed to do that once he j was locked up. j

Witness described the injuries suffered. and said that the prisoner had been examined by Dr Appleby and ordered to hospital, where he remained for four daj 7 s. Answering Mr Barry, Sergeant Farrell said that it rained continuously while the prisoner was at large and as far as witness knew accused had no food in that tunc. was absolutely exhausted and witness. was of the opinion that he could not have survived another night in the open. Sergeant Farrell said the Doctor had told him that prisoner had a weak chest and heart. ' The prisoner had nothing to say and lie w r as committed for sentence as stated.