Caught red handed – An open and shut case?

Sometimes the outcome from a given set of circumstances is not what is expected. The story below of an Island burglary gone wrong, dubbed in a couple of 1925 Singaporean newspapers as the “Christmas Island Case”, is an example. On the face of it, this was an open and shut case.

CHRISTMAS ISLAND CASE
Thieves in Phosphate Company’s Premises.

The unusual experience of trying a case sent for trial in the District Court here from Christmas Island fell to Mr. Franklyn Robinson yesterday, when two Chinese were charged with breaking into the premises of the Christmas Island Phosphate Company, [housebreaking with intent to commit theft ¹] and a third Chinese was charged with abetting the offence. Court Inspector Stewart prosecuted for the police.

Mr. William Browning Jackson, employed by the firm, told how on September 28, he was awakened by the sound of a whistle, about midnight. He went downstairs with the manager, and two watchmen reported that thieves had been in the office. They also told him that one ran towards the pier. They went down to the pier and found the Chinese at the extreme end of the pier clinging to a pile. After some difficulty they got him out and found he was the first accused, the company’s head carpenter. They put him in the lock-up and later captured the other prisoners. On the first accused they found a key which fitted the safe. The safe contained cash and deposits, the major portion of which belonged to natives on the island. Altogether there was a large sum in cash in the safe. Two keys were recovered from the sea which fitted two other safes. They were recovered by a diver. The second and third prisoners had been employed since January. Witness had two keys with him most of the time. The first accused had been in the employ of the company for about five years.

A watchman employed by the company said that on September 28 he went on duty about 10 p.m. and at 11.35 he went for a relief. When he left everything was in order but on his return he could see that something was wrong. He saw two persons in the office but when he went to grapple with them they ran out. Witness then blew his whistle and was joined by another watchman. He gave chase after the first accused who ran out on the jetty. He did not try to catch him as he thought he might stab him. Witness then demonstrated how the men were attempting to open the safe.

The hearing was adjourned.

The Straits Times, 4 November 1925 © SPH Media Limited. Used with permission.

Another newspaper gives a slightly different account as well as reporting that it was a police constable that discovered the intruders:

… According to the evidence for the prosecution, it is alleged that the Indian watchman left his beat for a short time and during his absence a police constable happened to pass the office building. There appeared to be signs of persons being inside and on the policeman getting closer to investigate, a Chinese was seen to dart through the darkness into the machine shop. He was followed and arrested almost immediately. It is alleged another Chinese rushed out of the office and made for the pier. Reaching the end of the pier he is said to have flung his coat into the sea. He then let himself down and was hanging on to one of the many beams which support the pier. The police however spotted him and took him into custody. The services of a Malay diver were obtained and the coat was recovered from the bottom of the sea. In his pockets were found a number of keys. Among the bunch of keys was one which fitted the office safe. A third man was arrested later.

… The steamer “Islander”, continued Mr Jackson had arrived only a few days before the house-breaking and had brought the wages. At the time the offices were broken into there was a considerable sum of money in one of the safes. A diver was again sent down on October 3, and several other keys were recovered from the sea.

The watchman and a Police corporal were next examined and the further hearing was adjourned. …

Malaya Tribune, 4 November 1925

The following additional details were also reported:

… Another key was found on the second accused’s person. It was not the original key but it fitted the lock of the door leading into the drawing office. … There was about $33,000 in one of the safes in cash and deposits … The witness thought that the thieves entered the premises at a spot where repairs were being carried out. 

The Singapore Free Press, 4 November 1925 © SPH Media Limited

Two men were caught redhanded in the office attempting to open a safe in the dead of night with chases ensuing, one quite dramatic. A safe key and an office key were found on their person yet it seems more evidence was required and the case adjourned. A number of newspapers were covering this story but none elucidate on the requirement of more evidence. Only the adjournment is mentioned. And so, the final outcome is revealed below:

CHRISTMAS ISLAND CASE.
Three Chinese Acquitted And Discharged.

The case in which three Chinese were charged with breaking into the premises of the Christmas Island Phosphate Company at Christmas Island, which was adjourned several days ago, concluded in the District Court this morning.

Court Inspector Stewart, said he was not in a position to offer fresh evidence owing to the delay that would be involved in getting a plan.

Mr. Franklyn Robinson acquitted and discharged the accused.

The Straits Times, 17 November 1925, Page 9 © SPH Media Limited

One wonders what the Christmas Island Phosphate Company made of the acquittals. The accused probably couldn’t believe their luck. 

1. The Straits Budget, 6 November 1925