MAN UNDER THE BED

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1921, Page 4

MAN UNDER THE BED

DISCOVERY IN HOTEL

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 17

Finding a man under her bed was the I startling experience of a member of the “Surprise Party” Company, VOW visiting Christchurch. John Quigley was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with (1) being unlawfully on the premises of the Excelsior Hotel, at night, on February 14, with intent to commit a crime; (2) stealing a camera valued at 93 15s, tlie property of Dorothy Clatidge. Mr J. Clark, J.P., and Mr J. W. Baty, ,J.P. presided. Chief Detective M’liveney prosecuted. Both charges were taken together. Thomas Joseph Tanse.v, son of the licensee of the Excelsior Hotel, Chiist church, said that the accused hooked room at the hotel on February 13 undei

the name of Stewart. A lady named YP Donald was staying at the >lintel, and occupied room No 28. About 8 p.m. on February 14, the electric light in - her bedroom' went wrong. YYitness went to attend to it, and, finding some tools were necessary, lie left the room to get these. When .lie returned, ho found the accused in the room, working at the point, with a bulb in his hand, which

he said the young lady had given him. Later it was discovered that all the top of the electric light fittings had gone. Witness went out, and, coming back at 10 p.m. he went upstairs and found Mr M’Neill holding the accused outside his room, No ;25. The door of the accused’s room was locked on the inside, and lie must have got out of the room by some other way than the door. The police were sent for, and the accused was arrested. Beeban M’Donald, a member of the Surprise Packet Company, said that she was staying at the Excelsior Hotel. She had not given the accused an electric light bulb, and bad never spoken to him.

Dorothy Claridge, another member of the Surprise Packet Company, .said that she bad a room at the hotel. She had seen accused mi the premises. On the night of February 14, she went to her bedroom, and felt suspicious that somebody else was in the room. She switched on the electric light, looked under the bed, and there saw a man against the wall. She screamed, and ran along the corridor, and "Mr M’Neill and others came along and dragged the accused from under the ’bed. Later, she discovered*that her camera was missing. George .James M’Noill, staying at. the Excelsior Hotel, said that he was in Ins bedroom, and heard a woman screaming. He immediately went to her assistance, subsequently dragging the accused from under the bed. Accused said: “How did I get here, George?” Accused was dressed in trousers, shirt and socks. He was sober. Accused: Was I awake or asleep when you pulled me out? Witness: I did not wait to see: Y’ou were awake as soon as I grabbed you. Detective Le Sueur said that on searching the room that bad been occupied by accused, he found a camera under a mattress. When charged with the theft, accused admitted it, stating that he had been drinking very heavily and hardly, knew what he was doing. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court tor sentence.