A DESPERATE CRIMINAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 May 1917, Page 6

A DESPERATE CRIMINAL.

ESCAPES PROM GAOL. TAXI DRIVER VIOLENTLY ASSAULTED. > , By Telegraph.—Press Association. (Hamilton, May 19. A sensational affair occurred on the Hamilton-Cambridge Road yesterday, when a taxi-driver named Edward Henry Peebles was'assaulted by a mjur named Robin-Jasper Crago, an eyfellpee from WaildriaNfeisffli, m^»ry < Awainutu. Crago had cngag!!a*Toeb]cs to drive him to Hamilton from Cambridge, and when about 4% miles along the road Crago said "Ease her up," and as the car wa* stopping .Peebles felt a string go round his neck. The string was drawn tight, and Peebles became unconscious. The next thing he knew was that 'he was struggling with Crago on the side of the car. Both fell on to the road. Crago biting on iP'eebles' hands. During the struggle both separated and jumped to their feet. Other cars tjon came up, and Crago was guarded until the police arrived. Crago stated that it was his intention to render Peebles unconscious, seize the car, and make his escape to Auckland. Peebles' hands wore hadly lacerated and one of his nail's was torn off. Crago was brought before the court this morning, charged with assault and being an escapee from prison. Detective-sergeant Cooney said accused was serving a sentence of ten years for attempted murder at Auckland and escaped from Waikiria Prison in May' last. Further (charges are pending, and he was remanded for a week. Crago was an actor in a sensational attempt to steal a motor-car ot Devonprt, Auckland, four years ago, a revolver being used. He' was then convicted and sentenced to ten years' reformative treatment.