WATCHED BY DETECTIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 January 1939, Page 11

WATCHED BY DETECTIVE

BORSTAL ESCAPEES BREAK INTO HOUSE. INCIDENT IN BROOKLYN. » (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Two escapees from the Borstal institution. Invercargill, who entered a house in Dorking Road, Brooklyn, on the morning of Sunday, January 8, did not know they were being watched by a detective who lived across the street. They were both arrested in the house and charged in the Magistrates' Court, Wellington, yesterday, with breaking and entering. Accused were Geoffrey Corbett, alias Stanley Leslie King, engineer and farmhand, aged 19, and Geoffrey Francis Evans Turner, alias John Edward Gilembe. farmhand, aged 18. Both pleaded guilty and were commited by Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M.. to the Supreme Court, Christchurch for sentence. Corbett and Turner were charged jointly with breaking and entering by day the dwelling of Frank Johnston, 28 Dorking Road, and stealing a felt hat. a tie, a comb, and a pair of scissors, valued at 16s 6d. They were also charged with breaking and entering the countinghouse of Frank Johnson, and stealing a screw driver and a pair of pliers, valued at 3s 6d. On a charge of breaking and entering the shop of Sylvia Clothier, 584 Colombo Street, Christchurch, on or about January 5, and committing theft, the accused were remanded to Christchurch.

Acting-Detective T. Chalmers said in evidence that he resided in Brooklyn opposite the dwelling of Frank Johnson, but on a higher elevation. At about 11.55 a.m. on January 8, he saw the two accused enter the gate of the house opposite, but did not see them leave the premises. Witness was aware that the Johnsons were away on holiday and went down to investigate. There was no sign of accused, but a side window had been forced open. The detective then saw Corbett in the house. On entering the building witness found both accused in a bedroom, which showed signs of having been hastily ransacked.