ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A CONSTABLE.

Evening Star, Issue 3538, 25 June 1874, Page 3

ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A CONSTABLE.

. A prisoner succeeded in freeing himself during one night from his bonds, while in custody of Constable Brennan' at the Shady Creek, Gippsland. The Inspector, Mr Rabat, was communicated with, and when he reached the scene He found the constable (Brennan) in too low a state to he snoken to, but being subsequently permitted to see him, he was enabled to gather the following particulars : Tfie last time the constable was seen cn Tuesday, night by anyone about the hotel where the assault took place, was about eleven o’clock, shortly after which it is presumed that he handcuffed the prisoner , to bis bed. The constable and the prisoner occupied the same room, the beds being opposite to each other, and about three feet nine inches apart, the window of the room being on the side where the constable’s bed was placed, which would have to be crossed before the window could be reached. On retiring to rest, Brennan placed his trousers, in which were the keys of the handcuffs, at the foot of his bed, and the prisoner must have secured the garment and freed himself, as the constable when he awoke as he thinks about five o’clock, by a heavy blow on the head, sjaw the prisoner standing over him with a tomahawk in his hand, with which he sgaiq struck him, and 'ben made fpr the window, Brennan lumped up and endeavored to prevent him from reaching- the window, when the prisoner commenced u§ing the tomahawk freely, and a very severe struggle must have taken place between them) as there are eight cuts on the constable s head, all in different directions, one of them fully and inch and a-ha f in depth, and the others very severe; one of his arms is also very much bruised. The constable, a« may be supposed from the murderous nature of the assault, was soon rendered, senseless. Since his re-arrest the prisoner has remained very sullen, the only information he has vouchsafed about himself being tfiat he has a wife and family in Melbourne, to whom, at bis request, rwlr Rabat has given him permission to write. Otherwise he seems quite indifferent to what may be in store for him. The constable needs constant and careful attention. The unfortunate man,, who is held in great regard by bis comrades, and esteemed by all who know him, is in a very critical state, and though there are hopes that he will ultimately pull through, there is too much reason to fear that the injuries that he has sustained may have a fatal termination.