STRUGGLE IN HOTEL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4004, 10 August 1915, Page 7

STRUGGLE IN HOTEL.

DETECTIVE ATTACKED WITH A SHOV EL. Veil-dressed, situ! giving- tho name of Bruce Raimard, a man who said he Jia.d private means, was charged at Bow Street (London) as a suspected person, loitering at the Hotel Metropole, Northumberland Avenue, for the supposed purpose of committing a felony, and. further, with assaulting Detective Lawrence. Evidence was given that prisoner had keen staying at the Hotel Metropole for a week, and, in consequence of complaints from visitors and reports from waiters, the police wore communicated with. lie was kept under observation in the hotel lounge, and was seen to enter into conversation with three gentlemen, one of whom lie invited to lunch with him on the following day at the Piccadilly Hotel. Prisoner retired to his room, to which Detective Lawrence afterwards wont. He told prisoner he intended to arrest him as a suspected person. Accused replied: “All right, Lawrence, I will clear out -now ond give von a bit for yourself.” “You will have to go with me to Cannon Bow Police Station.” said the Detective, whereupon prisoner exclaimed: “No, not for you or fifty like you.” The officer was about to telephone for the manager, when prisoner picked up a shovel from the fireplace and threatened to dash his brains out. He struck at him twice, injuring one of bis hands, and also damaging the door of the room. A struggle ensued, in the course of which prisoner attempted to hit the detective with a poker, but eventually assistance arrived, and be was taken to the station. After paying his hotel bill lie had 3s 6d left in his possession. Prisoner’s record was handed up to the magistrate, who remarked xhat her appeared to have been convicted twice in this country and also in Australia. Ralmard went into the witness-box and stated that ho had only been convicted on- two occasions—once at Liverpool and once at Bow Street. Ho had gone to bed, and was about to read a magazine when tho detective entered the room. Tho detective said: “This is a nice game; you will «vc to get out of here.” He thought tftnt under the circumstances ho was entitled to use the shovel. He had recently come from Lisbon with fho intention of joining tho Army. He had property in Melbourne, and his wife was living in a Hat in Maryleborno Itoad. He was not at the hotel with any felonious intent. He denied that lu>" had ever been convicted m Australia He was born in Melbourne in 1875, and was of independent moans, his brother sending him money lvom Ms property. ~, 1 The magistrate, pointing out that prisoner only had B's 6d on him when I arrested, remanded him in custody.