ASSAULT & ROBBERY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1931, Page 5

ASSAULT & ROBBERY

SENSATIONAL AFFAIR. (By Teleyraph—Per Press Association) DUNEDIN, June 12. A sensational story of assaults and of an attempted robbery at his jewellery and' pawn shop in Glorge Street on the night of .May 11th, was related by Walter Gabriel Russ it’, r in the Police Court to-day. Thomas William Wilson and Rupert Saunders were jointly charged with assaulting Rossiter with intent to rob, and, forth.r, with intent to do grievous buddy harm ; and that they wounded, or did actual bodily harm, to Jane ill oss iter. In his evidence, Rossittr declared that Saunders had been neither mud nor brutal, and had not used force, and that it. was impossible for Saunders to have assaulted him (Rossiter) as he was at no time absent from the shop. ■Rossiter said that, when assistance arrived, 'he went in search of the other man, and if ha had found the man, he would have killed him or the man would have killed him (Rossiter).

Mr l7i B. Bundle, S.M., was on the ‘Bench, and Inspector Cummings conducted the proseeutron.

Ur Speight described Rossiter’s injuries, atld Dr Aiiderson, of the Hospital .staff, gave particulars of Mrs Rossitor's injuries. Her mind, he sa/d, was a blank*, and she could hot remember what had happened. Rossiter stated that a man at the door of the shop feigned illn’ess, and, when witness went to investigate, the man, with a companion, forced an entry to the shop. Witness then described the assault. He said that the smaller man ,(Wilson) must have assaulted Mrs i ltossiter.

Charles Vennall, watchmaker, whose premises are on the opposite side of the -road to .Rossiter's. said that a man tin the street told him that murder was being done in Rossiter’s shop. He ran across the road, and broke the glass in the door with a screw-driver, and then he unfastened the door. The man Saunders was holding Rossiter down oil the floor. Witness then presented the screw-driver at Saunders a-nd commanded him to'hold up bis band, which Saunders did. Witness threatened to “blow out Saunders' brains" if be. moved. The police arrived shortly after, and they handcuffed Saunders. Constable McGvail gave evidence <’f handcuffing Saunders, who denied that be. had a mate, and no trace of tire latter could be found on the premises. Detective Gibson said that he was standing in front of -Rossiter’s about 1.10 a .in. on May 12th. Several people were standing about, and among them was the accused Wilson, who was arrest, d later in the day. •Wilson made a statement that lie and Saunders entered -Rossiter's. Witness (WiLon) grabbed Rossiter by the throat and Saunders knocked out Mrs Rossiter. 'Wilson then bolted upstairs With a tray of rings,' but hv lost, them on the way up. He (Wilson) kicked out the glass m a window, iund got ou to the verandah roof, facing the Octagon, and climbed down to the door of the shop, but he (was push'd away by a constable. Both of the accused were remanded rill Monday.