MASKED MAN AT MIRANUI.

Shannon News, 29 October 1926, Page 3

MASKED MAN AT MIRANUI.

ANDBAG USED ON FLAXUFTTER. ACCUSED MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY. "I'm after your money, Fitz. I have a revolver and I'll shoot you." This utterance, though not in purest English, was of import unmistakable to Meredith Fitzsimons and sufficiently alarming to a man who had £65 in his trousers pocket. It happened on the night of October 14th, at the- Central Camp, Miranm, when Fitzsimons, a flaxcutter, was lying in bed in his whare. A masked figure entered with this menacing announcement, took Fitzsimons by the throat and struck him on the head with a sandbag, composed of several small stones tied in a handkerchief. When the. other gave the alarm, his assailant escaped in the darkness.

j The sequel to this little drama was 'staged in the Palmerston North Court last week, when Neils Peter Sorenson, or Hansen, stood ehjarged with assaulting Fitzsimons with intent to rob him. In presenting the brief facts of the case, Senioi-Sergf. O'Grady stated that Fitzsimons, on the night of the assault, was in bed with the light out, when a masked man entered the hut and menaced and assaulted the occupant. Some workmates who were playing cards in a neighbouring hut heard cries for help, and on arriving at the door of the whare, saw a figure emerge in flight and they were unable to overtake him. The, men were satisfied in their own minds •that the accused was the man.

In the box, the victim of the assault described his injuries, the most severe of which Avas a scalp wound. He could not swear to his assailant's identity, but by his voice and build he would "suspect Sorenson, or Hansen. Witness had about £65 in his possession. It was generally understood in the camp that witness generally had a few pounds by him.

' Antonio Baroni and Harold J. Lester, who were alarmed by Fitzsimons's cries, both said they were under the impression that the assailant, was the accused. James G. Smith deposed that on the morning after the affair he saw accused in the swamp, chased 'him down the tram line and asked him to return to camp to give an explanation. Accused had replied: "There's no explanation required. It's just an argument I had with Fitz. I asked him 'for the loan of a dollar and Fitz refused." Catherine Hall, caterers at the camp, said she knew accused as Sorenson. Witness said to him, after he had been brought back to the camp, referring to the incident: "Whatever made you do it?" to which accused had replied: "J suppose I'll get six months for this.'' Constables Shannon and Blaikie, of Shannon,-also gaVe evidence (if accused's apprehension. 'On the morning of Oetober 16, the police proceeded to the canip, where accused was arrested. He was then under the influence of liquor, but not at the stage in which he didn't know what he was doing. He had in his possession two bottles; one containing whisky and the' other methylated spirit. Accused pleaded "Not guilty," and was committed for trial at Palmerston North on November 9th.

On further charges of stealing a hat Avorth 10s, the property of one Zulurn. and 5s- in money belonging to one Fallistino Italians,Working at the'camp, accused pleaded guilty and Avas sent°need to 14 days' imprisonment concurrently on each charge.