HOLD-UP FAILED

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1926, Page 4

HOLD-UP FAILED

ATTEMPT ON AUCKLAND BANK

JA YE, YEARS’ GAOL.

AUCKLAND, Jan. 20 j.'ive years’ imprisonment was the sentence imposed by Mr Justice Stringer on Oeorge .Joseph Marshall, aged 01; who presented «i loaded revolt er at the head o{ Mr Gilmore, manager of the Newmarket branch of the Auckland Savings Bank, on the night of November 6th., in an attempt to roll the bank. Marshall had also pleaded guilty to bigamy, and the term of five years covered this offence. In seeking leniency for Marshall, Mr Beidy pleaded in extenuation of the crime that the prisoner was a man of (jj years of age, who had hitherto led a blameless life. In his.time he had held many responsible positions. As

far its the offence of bigamy was concerned, the prisoner was married to a woman 70 years of age, from whom he was living apart. He had not seen her for 12 months. It was, of course, difficult to understand why .Marshall, an educated man, did not institute the fullest enquiries before contracting a second marriage. Five years ago lie had left the employ of the Auckland Savings Rank owing to illhealth. having been paid 12 months’ salary on the termination of his engagement. Since then he had lent two sons £IOOO, and their failure to make good had further affected his health. Prisoner suffered from neuritis.

Mr Justice Stringer asked what proof the Court had of these statements, Judging by the depositions, the prisoner seemed to have been in the habit of enquiring through matrimonial agencies, with a view to marrying widows for their money. “He deliberately planned to rob the hank, armed himself with a loaded revolver, and devised means of masking his features. saiil Mr Justice Stringer. “In his own statement lie says lie had no accomplice waiting outside.” 'I lie Judge said lie wanted evidence concerning what had been said by counsel. Ho could not accept an ex parte statement. What had been said only went to show that Marshall had the means and the knowledge of making an attempt to rob the hank which might have been successful.

Mr V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor. said that Dr T. Gray, Medical Superintendent of ihe Auckland Mental Hospital, had been unable to find any symptoms of mental trouble. VERY GRAVE OFFENCE.

In passing sentence, Mr Justice Stringer said that Marshall had pleaded guilty to one of the most serious offences on the criminal calendar, one that made him liable to imprisonment for life, and also for n. Hogging. Apart from the question of prisoner’s matrimonial vagaries, his character seemed to have been fairly good, and the Court intended to give him credit for what his counsel had said regarding his health. However, prisoner had armed himself with a revolver, and awaiting an opportunity that would afford facilities for robbing the hank, he presented it at the manager’s head. “I may say that had it. not been for the commendable conduct of the manager, who f think, showed great courage and promptitude in rushing a man who presented a loaded revolver at his head, a very large sum of money might have been taken from the hank,” added Mr Jii.stieo

Stringer. After being sentenced. Marshall explained that he had the revolver in tiis ] >os ,t*." ion I>y reason of the taet that lie had it: when in a store at Hastings. “Oh. it does not matter where you had it.” retorted the Judge. “On this occasion you had it in your hand, pointed at the battle manager's head."