SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 16, 25 June 1909, Page 2

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

A BURGLAR'S PENALTY. 'Received June 25, 12.15 a.m. Sydney, June 24.. John Frederick Crook was foind guilty of attempted murder in connee-' tion with the north Sydney shooting . affray on April 1, with a recommewb- / tion to mercy. Sentence of death was ' passed upon him.

A resident of North Sydney, named Russel Sinclair, disturbed an intruder in his house. A desperate struggle follow* ed. The robber (who turned out to be Crook), who was armed with a revolver, fircdn twice and seriously ouuaed Sin-' clair in the groin. The robber was arrested after an exciting chase, during, which he fired several shots on his pur. sucrs, und inflicted nasty injuries on : a constable's head by battering it with '" the butt of the revolnver. Sinclair's as- ■ sailant was recognised by finger-print*. Constable Gates, who showed such phick, and who was badly handled while arresting prisoner, is a New Zealander. Gates received Immediate promotion M a reward for his bravery. Crook, who is a seaman, 23 years of age, commencsd his career of crime in New Zealand in 1004, when he was sentenced ° to nine months' imprisonment on each' of twa charges of breaking and entering thJ drapery premises of Messrs. Warnocfc and Adkin and stealing goods valuer! at £7O. In December, 1003, he was.seu. ' tenced to twelve months' imprisonment , on each of three charges of theft, and in the following month he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment lor escaping from custody.