ARMED BOY BURGLAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2079, 14 May 1907, Page 1

ARMED BOY BURGLAR.

DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

A boy of 16, who played the part of a burglar, and fired a revolver in his effort s to escape arrest, had t'o answer the serious charge of attemptcd murder at Croydon Police Court recently. The boy, Frank Taylor, was charged with firing at Mr. J. F. Damon, whoso residence, Kenilworth, Park Hill, Oarshalton, was broken

into. A second lad named Edwin John Barrett was also charged with being concerned in the burglary. Mr. Damon had a dramatic narra-

tive to relate to the court-, lie salt that at eight o’clock the previous Saturday plight, while at dinner, he

heard olio of the servants scream. Going outside lie saw" Taylor running down the passage towards the kitchen, where ho waa stopped by a plumber who was at work. In no way nonplussed, the boy smilingly explained that he had intended to play a prank on a schoolfellow", hut had mistaken the house, and, seeing a strange servant, ho had lost ,his nerve. Mr. .Damon took him to the study, questioned him,'and made him trun out his pockets. He explained that Davis, who lived near by, w r as the name of the schoolfellow", so Mr. Damon sent for him. Davis, however, said that, while lie recognised Taylor, he did not know much about him. Taylor gave his own name as Gibson, of Apricot Road, Sutton, and Air. Damon sent a niS?JSP_make enquiries, but found til irt'hdirre tv a „ no such thoroughfare qs Apricot Road. Meanwhile Air.. Damon had examined

the premises, and finding that the window of the drawing-room had been forced open, he sent for the police. Taylor then made a dash for liberty, and aa Mr, Damon was about to take bold of him the boy fired a small five-chambered revolver. The bullet

struck Air. Damon’s hand, a 11(1 then became embedded ip, an arm-chair-Air. Dainp.ll and his wife tried to disarm Taylor., but found him stronger than they expected. Ho threatened to fire again, and Air. Damon warned hiu. that it might rpshH <U murder. The l)oy once more got free, but was overtaken in the scullery, and a policeman, who arrived at this stage, found him struggling with Air, Damon on tlie floor.

Chief Detective-Inspector Fowler said that lie arrested Garrett at his home.

In Taylor’s possession wero found a gold watch and an electric lantern, Tliese were identified as the proceeds of a burglary at Gakwell, Carshalton, on February 18, when the premises were ransacked. A further'charge of burglary was preferred against Taylor in respect, of that robbery. Tlie boys wero remanded.. Taylor oil bail, and IkuTott in bis father’s recognisances.