Robbery with Violence

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 558, 10 January 1929, Page 1

Robbery with Violence

WATERFRONT SENSATION

Suspects Sent for Trial

FURTHER, details of robberies with violence which were committed on the waterfront early in December were heard when Cyril Kevan McKenna and John Siddens appeared at the Police Court this morning. Both men were committed to the Supreme Court for trial, Mr. J. J. Sullivan entering a plea of not guilty on their behalf and reserving his defence.

McKenna, aged 21, and Siddens, aged IS, both labourers, were charged with robbing Frederick Joseph Kneebone and Walter Easton on December 10, using violence at the time of the robbery. It was alleged that a hat and a watch valued at £6 10s had been taken from Mr. Kneebone and an overcoat, hat and watch valued at £ 5 from Mr. Easton. Mr. Kneebone told the court this morning that he was standing on the Albert Wharf about 10.30 on the evening of December 10 when Siddens came up and asked him for a cigarette. Witness gave him one and they talked for a while, the stranger saying that he was a seaman from the Hertford.

“I left the man to go to the ferry wharf and catch the 11 o’clock boat for Takapuna,” continued Mr. Kneebone. “I then met McKenna, who also asked me for a cigarette. I replied that I had none left, but he said that the butt I was smoking would do, so I gave it to him. McKenna then hit me in the eye, cutting my cheek. He grabbed me and someone hit me again behind the ear. A voice said. ‘Get his watch.’ We then both fell in the gutter,” continued witness. T struggled up and ran away from the two men toward the Prince’s Wharf, calling Tor help. My hat and watch were gone, the latter having been taken by Siddens.” . A similar story was told by Walter Easton, who was accosted on the Albert Wharf earlier in the evening. A man asked him for a cigarette, and when given one, asked if witness ould like a spot. He turned down the offer, and also refused to go for a walk along the wharf with the man A second stranger then arrived, and Mi. Easton was asked if he had any money. The men attacked him, and demanded his watch, and searched his pockets Witness escaped by boarding the ferry punt for Devonport, leaving his watch, monev, hat, and overcoat behind him. "I returned from Devonport by passenger steamer, and reported the affair to the wharf police,” concluded witness.

William Palmer and John Brophy. Harbour Board gatekeepers on the Prince’s Wharf, said they heard Air. Kneebone’s cries for help as he stumbled toward them with his face cut and bleeding. They pursued the men and caught them near the City Markets. Mr. Palmer, however, let go his man to go to the assistance of Mr. Brophy, with the result that McKenna only was captured. When caught McKenna had three hats, one of which was claimed by Mr. Kneebone. and was also wearing an overcoat. According to Constable Shields, it* whom McKenna was handed by his captors, no explanation was offered when the man was taxed with the offences he was said to have comcommitted. Both Air. Kneebone and Mr. Easton identified McKenna as one of the men by whom they had been attacked. Detective Allen said he accosted Siddens in Victoria Park ten days after the night of the robberies and took him to the Police Court, where he was identified by both Air. Easton and Air. Kneebone. Siddens had then been arrested and charged. He replied that the police had picked the wrong

All*. Sullivan closely examined all witnesses as to the circumstances in which the two were identified by the assaulted men.

Bail was allowed in one surety of £2OO for each man. a condition being that they report to the police each day.