Onlookers Ignore Struggle With Intruder

Chronicle (Levin), 1 March 1949, Page 6

Onlookers Ignore Struggle With Intruder

r Press Association)

(Pe\

CHRISTCHURCH, PeO. 28. While be was struggling in Moorhouse Avenue on Saturday evening with a man whom he had caught on the premises of vita Cellars Ltd.., of 131 J Madras Street, Mr. W. Withell, manager of the firm, received no help from four men who walked past. He could not call for 'help because his, lower setof false teeth had been broken and part j of . it had caught in his thxoat. The | man, who was described by IN^Ir. Withell | as being a yoiing man and of good build, broke' away and ' 'tfiough the! police were quiekly oh the' scene, he. was nof caught. . '• Mr. Withell 's throat was severely bruised where the man tried to strangle hiiu and his gums were lacerated. When Mr. Withell went to the lirm's premises about 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, he fouud a large suitcase with six bottles of wine it it, on the tabie.-* He1 heard a noise upstairs aud sPtAan came into the room on the ground fioor.i When chhllengefl1 ■bj'-'MiV Withers the man said he was just- -having a look. rouud. The man; threatened- Mr. Withell with a box and ran out to ;.the street where he slipped and fell on the pavement. Mr. Withell jumped on him and caught him by the hair. • Mr. Withell asked a passing cyclist to call the police but the cyclist refused. Mr. Withell was taking the man to the police station and had just turned into Moorhouse Avenue when the man attacked him. While the two were struggling on the footpath, a motorist crossed the road, looked at them for a moment, tlien went back to his motor car and drove away. Four other men walked past without stopping.