PRISON ESCAPEE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20092, 22 November 1930, Page 7

PRISON ESCAPEE.

TERM LENGTHENED HV SIX MONTHS. I THE PEESS Special Service. | Al t'KI.AND, November :M. Alter enjoying his liberty for seven months, John Mahuta Parker, a labourer, aged ifl) years, ivliu was recaptured early this week, appeared liOfore Mr y. K. Hunt, 5.31.. at, the Magistrate's Court this morning, charged with escaping from Waikune prison camp, ulld stealing a. cheque for Jul os at Waihi 011 November 18th. Mr Noble represented Parker, who admitted both charge-. Detective-Sci neant K-eliv said I'arker had been sentenced in November ol and he was first imprisoned at Mount Eden Gaul, but on February Stitli he was transferred to the prison camp at Emu, near tho National Park. I The prisoners at this camp were trusted. Parker betrayed bis trust. I and had planed the other inmates and j officials at tho prison eamp at a threat disadvantage. I'arker hud been at large for seven mouths. (In November 18th he went into a shop at Waibi. in which town he was born, and commenced talking to the shopkeeper. While the proprietor had his back turned he stole a cheque for £' 5s and disappeared. Tho cheque wsi® handed to a service driver in payment of his fare to Hamilton. The car driver knew thflt Parker was a "crook." and cot into touch with the shopkeeper about the cheque, with a result that Parker was later arrested on a service car bound for Auckland. He obtained £6 10s as change out of the cheque, and lie had £3 odd on him «'lu?n arrested. ''l think it is only right that this money should refunded to the man who suffeied, ha said. Mr Noble: It may net be part ol tho money lie obtained from the cheque. Mr Kellv: Parker himself says i*is Parker had a long list of previous convictions, and it appeared as though ho intended to follow a criminal career. , .... Counsel objected to the sum "f *-» 14s 6d. which was found on I arKei at tho time of his arrest, being returned. He said accused hnd nssiKncu that amount to him. (Laughter.) Mr Hun 1 sentenced accused to sij. months' imprisonment additional t/O the remaining two vears :md seven rtiontns he <til' had to serve when he An order was made that £2 l<". he returned to the shookeener victimised bv Pnrker. "VOll "'ill -'', git men out of it." he told Mr