Kenneth Edward MURRAY

‘ GUNS FOUND ‘

Court told of attack on police

SYDNEY, Friday. — Two Sydney detectives were bashed and kicked after finding evidence possibly linking four men with Victorian bank robberies, a prosecutor alleged in Sydney’s Central Court today.

Sgt E. Short ( # 4325 ) told the court both officers had received severe facial injuries and one might lose part of an ear.

Before the court were Mr Donald James Marshall, 24, labourer, and Mr Peter John Freeman, 24, labourer, both of Cronulla.

Each was charged with having assaulted Detective Kenneth Edward Murray ( # 8455 ) and Detective William Erickson ( # 11355 ), occasioning them actual bodily harm, at Ashfield yesterday.

They were charged also with having had in their possession two .22 calibre sawn-off rifles and two 12 gauge sawn-off shotguns.

Mr Fowler, SM, remanded them to appear on January 22 and refused bail.

Sergeant Short said it was hoped to proceed with the presentation of evidence by eight witnesses on the next occasion.

Asking Mr Fowler to refuse bail, he said it was alleged that the two defendants and two other men were driving in Ashfield yesterday afternoon. As a result of the driver’s conduct they were followed by two detectives into a motel.

Sergeant Short said that after questioning the men, Detective Murray obtained the car keys and opened the boot.

” We allege he found masks, shotgun ammunition, .22 calibre ammunition and other evidence possibly linking the occupants of the car to recent bank robberies in Victoria”, he said.

Sergeant Short said that while the detectives were questioning the men they were attacked by at least three and possibly four men.

” They were severely beaten and kicked and Detective Murray may lose portion of an ear “, he said. Both officers had received severe facial injuries.

He said Mr Freeman was arrested near the area of the assault and Mr Marshall later at Cronulla.

At Cronulla, police had found firearms which it was alleged had been used in bank robberies in Victoria.

” The two other men not yet arrested have been identified as dangerous escapees from Pentridge Jail “, he said.

Sergeant Short said the two men before the court undoubtedly would be wanted by the Victorian authorities when NSW was finished with them.

Mr Fowler, said it was an appropriate case for the refusal of bail.

Two committed over attack on police

SYDNEY, Monday. — Two men were committed for trial today for allegedly attacking two detectives.

Central Court was told that the officers were beaten and kicked after they stopped a car with Victorian number plates containing four men.

Before the court were Mr Peter John Freeman, 24, labourer, and Mr Donald James Marshall, 24, labourer, both of Allison Road, Cronulla.

Each pleaded not guilty to assaulting Detectives Kenneth Edward Murray and William Erickson, occasioning them actual bodily harm on January 11.

Mr W. Ewer. SM. committed both for trial at Darlinghurst Quarter Sessions on March 5 and refused bail.

Detective Sgt Murray said he and Detective Erickson ( # 11355 ) stopped the car at Ashfield and when he inspected the boot he found shotgun ammunition and the sleeve of a woollen jumper with eye holes cut in it, apparently to form a mask.

He asked one of the men about the boot’s contents, and was struck a heavy blow. He saw Detective Erickson grappling with the driver. He went to Detective Erickson‘s assistance, but was attacked from behind.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110698983