Not Guilty.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 49, 19 June 1914, Page 5

Not Guilty.

THE DARLINGHURST HOLD-UP. A SIDE ISSUE, [By Eleotbio Telegraph—Copyright] [United Prees Association.] (Received 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, June 19. When the' jury returned a verdict declaring David Kernahan not guilty of participation in the Darlinghurst hold-up, particulars of which were cabled on May sth, a number of people applauded. Judge Backhouse, who had been keeping a watch, called two offenders to show cause why they should not be fined forty shillings and ordered to be kept in prison until the fine was paid. Both paid the fines and were released.

The Sydney Telegraph, referring to the matter, says: For dramatic suddenness and impudent daring, nothing, since the early busbranging days, has been equalled in the annals of New South Wales crime to the hold-up which occurred at a house at the corner of Flinders and Short streets, Darlinghurst, in the early bourse of the morning of May sth. Four men drove up to the place in a motor car, walked upstairs, and at the point of the revolver demanded of the members of a card party, numbering over 20 in all, that they should throw up their hands and give over their valuables. They succeeded in gathering from the assemblage £6OO in money and jewellery. The victims of the outrage had been the guests of Mr Joseph Batten, who lives at the address, the previous evening. Shortly before midnight the last of the ladies of the party had left for home, and the 20 or so male friends remained behind, for a chat. Someone suggested a game of cards. The idea was welcomed, and everyone adjourned to the dining-room. The games had been in progress for little over half .an hour, when one of the doors of the room was flung suddenly open, and four armed and mafcked men stepped inside. One of them roared out, "Throw up your hands, the lot of you! If anyone dares to move I'll shoot!" Everyone was dumfounded. Men stared at each other in blank amazement, as such an unexpected intrusion could not at the time be looked upon in any light of credulity. After a momentary effect of > the first surprise had gou© off, some of the party were inclined to think that it was a /huge joke. Even Mr Batten, who had been speaking to his wife in the kitchen, when he came in on the scene, treated the occurrence as such. Ho entered the room with his hands in the air, and asked those present not to make so much noise as they would be giving the house a bad name. The leader of the gang nourished his revolver and reminded Mr Batten that if he did not hold his tongue he would blow his brains out. Meanwhile, the three other members of the gang had mounted guard over the other two doors, and the whole party was forcod to realise the hopelessness of their position. For the most part everyone was inclined to obey the gang leader's demand, and they stood with their hands up while- their pockets were rifled of everything of value.' At six o'clock on the following morning the police arrested David Kernahan at Paddington, and charged him with being a participator in the robbery.