GUN ALARM

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 224, 23 August 1939, Page 3

GUN ALARM

BOY WOUNDED FINGER BLOWN OFF NEWCASTLE, July 24.—A seven-year-old boy, whose linger, it was alleged, had been blown off by an explosive burglar alarm, was a witness in the Newcastle Summons Court to-day. The case was that in which a charge against James Bennett, of Railway street' Wickham, with having uacl a firearm —an explosive burglar alarm—in his possession and with inning failed to take all reasonable precautions to ensure its safe-keeping, was dismissed.

Leslie AVilliams, aged seven, said that- he went into a wood and coal yard with other hoys, one of whom took a tin which was standing on a ■post. There was a gun underneath and when he touched the trigger it exploded and blew off one of his fingers. Sergeant P. AY. Shelley, of-Carirng-ton, said that Bennett, on being informed that a hoy had met with an accident over a trap gun. said that it was not a trap gun, but an explosive burglar alarm which he had installed to stop people stealing coal. Some years previousy £IOOO worth of coal had been stolen from him.

Bennett, according to Sergeant- Setley. said that the property was private and: children, had no right to be there. Sergeant Shelley said that the alarm was covered by a kerosene tin, and the property was securely enclosed. Air. Hoi more, for Bennett, said that there was no case to answer. The alarm was erected on private property which was surrounded by an effective fence. It was covered by a tin, and pressure-had to be exerted to remove the tin. There was no evidence that Bennett owned or controlled the premises or had the alarm in his possession.