ROMANCE WENT AWRY

Evening Star, Issue 20058, 26 December 1928, Page 2

ROMANCE WENT AWRY

YOUTH HAS BRAIN STORM VISIT WITH REVOLVER to the * Stab.’] AUCKLAND. December 24. Infatuated with a young woman, James Alfred Essex Grundy, will allow nothing to keep him from her, and when she was sent away he wont to where she was staying and, with a loaded revolver in his possession, demanded her back. Grundy, a labourer, aged twenty, said to be a South African, was charged at the Police Court this morning with assault, and with procuring possession of a revolver without having the necessary licence. Grundy pleaded not guilty, but Mr Hall Skelton, who appeared for him, said that he had been instructed by Grundy’s father to plead guilty. “ 1 shall have to apply for a remand in this case,” said sub-lnspectqr M'Carthy, “and when your Worship hears the circumstances you may not think the boy should be at large. He has been keeping company with a young woman in New Lynn, who is some years his senior, _ but the girl decided to end the affair as Grundy’s conduct has been so reprehensible. Tho young man took his father’s revolver, loaded it, and went round to a clergyman’s house where the girl was, and demanded her. The police were commounicated with, and when the constable arrived, Grundy was taking the revolver from Ills pocket. He seems to think he can do what lie likes.” Mr Hall Skelton asked that Grundy be given his liberty over the holidays, urging that it was his first lapse, and that ho was a member of the Y.M.C.A,. and bore a good character. People had been trying to separate him from the girl, with whom he was hopelessly infatuated, and brain storm had resulted “ Grundy’s own father called in the police,” continued* counsel, “ the boy having threatened to commit suicide.” Mr Hall Skelton attributed his client’s actions to powerful emotion which had run away with him. It was his first experience in romance, and all he wanted was a good talking to. He had had a fright, and thoroughly realised his position. Grundy’s father offered to hand over tho revolver to tho police, and counsel made a final appeal, urging that tomorrow was Christmas Day. Mr E. C. Cutton 5.M.,: That is all very well, but when a youth plays round with a loaded revolver it is an affair of extreme interest to other people. It would do Grundy no harm to cogitate, up above for a while. I am frightened to let him go. Mr M'Carthy: And so am I. Grundy was remanded until Friday.