“QUITE JUSTIFIED”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 12

“QUITE JUSTIFIED”

SHOOTING OF BURGLAR THRILLING SYDNEY DUEL "I find that Constable Burns was quite justified in the circumstances in taking this man’s life in self-defence. No doubt he feels his position rather keenly, but. taking the whole of the circumstances into consideration, including this man’s police record, I don’t think that Constable Burns has anything to worry about. I think he did humanity a service.’’ In these words the Sydney City Coroner exonerated Constable Burns from all blame for the death of William Henry Wilks, 54, international safe-breaker and burglar, vhom the constable shot dead at Manly early on the morning of March 10. "This man Wilks,” continued Mr. Fletcher, "has been in various parts of the world, and, apparently. has spent the greater part of nis life in gaol. He had been a menace to •society. Knowing the desperate character of Wilks, I don't think that Constable Burns should allow the matter to worry him any further.” Flying Squad’s Find Early on the morning of March 10 a flying squad of four constables— Burns, Tassell. Wiley and Fleming—which had been formed at Manly in an effort to prevent robberies that were occurring there, came upon two men attempting to break into the Warrawee tea rooms. North Steyne. The men made off, with the constables in hot pursuit. The chase was a long, exciting and furious one. At one point the man Wilks drew a revolver and menaced Constable Wiley, who fired a shot over his head, calling upon him to "stand.” But the man resumed his flight with Ills companion, and both were lost in a maze of lanes and backyards. Later, Constable Burns was stand-

ing in the shadows when he saw a man rise from the shadows in Rolfe Street, some distance away. Policeman and fugitive saw each other at the same moment. The Last Ruse At the inquest. Constable Burns told a graphic story of the incidents that followed this mutual discovery. Wilks, ’ audacious to the last, came up to the 1 constable as if he was pleased to see . him. . “I say, constable,” he said, “have you seen a man running down here?” ! Constable Burns recognise! Wilks, ■ and keeping him covered with his re- ; volver, he asked: “What would a man , be doing running down here?” "He just broke into my house . . . : I am Jackson, of Carrington Street,” added Wilks, in the tone of a distressed householder. The constable then put an end to the deception by saying: "Put up your hands! I saw you breaking into the Warrawee to-night.” Wilks raised his hands and the constable stepped forward, his pistol in his right hand and the handcuffs in his left. He was about to slip the handcuffs on Wilks, with a flick of the wrist to snap the lock together, when the burglar—all in one movement, as it were—tried to snatch the revolver with nis left hand, made a kick at the constable’s stomach, and snatched his own revolver from his right pocket. “You’ve Killed Me” Constable and burglar fired together at point-blank range. Neither buliet. took effect, but the constable fired again in a flash and Wilks staggered back. “Look what you’ve done,” said the wounded man; “you’ve killed me. 1 ’ Constable Burns caught him as he staggered around and lowered him to the ground. The other constables were on the scene in a minute or so, and Constable Burns directed them to call the ambulance and a doctor. “He fired a shot at me and I fired two shots at him ... I think I have killed him,” he said. "I’m done for; I’m dying,” said Wilks, who died a moment cr two later. The bullet passed through his heart.