PRISONER’S ESCAPE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 272, 7 February 1928, Page 13

PRISONER’S ESCAPE

ASSAULT CHARGE FOLLOWS MOUNT EDEN GAOL CASE ALLEGED ATTACK ON WARDER William Henry Grant, a prisoner at Mount Eden Gaol, who made ins escape on December 7 last, faced a juiy at 'the Supreme Court this morning, charged with assaulting one or tne warders, causing actual bodily harm. According to Mr. W. H. Hubble, who represented the Crown, Gra-nt was serving a three-year sentence, and on the night of his escape was on duty at the bakehouse. Warder Booth was passing the wicket gate near the bakehouse at about 1.45 a.m., when he was struck on the head with a piece of wood, the evidence going to show that Grant had wielded the wood. Grant had made his escape at the same time and was captured several days later in the Ponsonby district. Grant conducted his own defence, and his cross-examination was directed toward showing that the bakehouse windows were not barred, wire being considered sufficient, and that escape was possible that way. Accused, in a statement from the dock, said there was only a thin wire mesh between him and liberty. He had climbed to the window to see the prospects of escape, and was then seen by the warder, who threatened to fire on him if he did not comp down. He released his hold and fell on the warder, who appeared to injure his head on an iron bar. The warder was still conscious and witness then made his escape. He did not hit the warder at any stage. He pointed out that he had received a further two years’ imprisonment for his escape, to which he had pleaded guilty, but he was innocent of the assault charge. After hearing his Honour’s summing up the jury retired at 12.45 p.m. After an adjournment of If hours the jury found accused “guilty without malice” of causing actual bodily harm to a Mount Eden warder, in his attempt to escape from gaoj. Mr. Justice Reed remanded the prisoner till Saturday for sentence.