A PROBATION HOSTEL SECRETARY WAS TERRORISED AT KN
A PROBATION HOSTEL SECRETARY WAS TERRORISED AT KNIFEPOINT BY
AN EX-INMATE DESPERATE FOR MONEY.
WALTER PADGINGTON, 46, WENT TO THE ELLISON HOUSE HOSTEL,
ALBANY ROAD, WALWORTH AFTER BEING THREATENED WITH EVICTION FROM
ANOTHER FLAT.
HE HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE SHENLEY ROAD, CAMBERWELL FLAT
LAST JUNE AFTER LEAVING THE HOSTEL, BUT GOT INTO RENT ARREARS AFTER
SPENDING ALL HIS DOLE MONEY ON MEALS AND ALCOHOL.
WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE HOSTEL HE TALKED TO THE SECRETARY,
MISS RUBY NOORANE, AND ACTING ASSISTANT WARDEN JOHN KIRK.
BUT THE MOMENT MR KIRK LEFT PADGINGTON WENT UP TO THE
SECRETARY AND SHOUTED AT HER, SAID MRS PATRICIA MAY, PROSECUTING.
‘HE CAME BACK TOWARD HER AND HE HELD A SMALL KITCHEN KNIFE
TO HER THROAT’, ADDED COUNSEL.
FORTUNATELY MR KIRK RETURNED AND GRABBED PADGINGTON, INNER
LONDON CROWN COURT HEARD.
THE SECRETARY SLIPPED OUT OF HIS REACH TO CALL POLICE, WHO
ARRESTED HIM IN THE HOSTEL OFFICE.
WHEN INTERVIEWED PADGINGTON SAID HE WOULD HAVE ‘CUT HER
THROAT’.
‘YES, DEFINITELY, I CAN GUARANTEE THAT’, HE SAID WHEN ASKED
IF HE WOULD HAVE USED HIS KNIFE.
HE ALSO SAID HE WAS LOOKING FOR A WOMAN TO ROB BECAUSE
‘GIRLS ARE THE EASIEST TO HOLD UP BECAUSE THEY CHICKEN OUT’.
THE COURT HEARD HE HAD BEEN PLACED ON PROBATION IN APRIL LAST
YEAR FOR STEALING FURNITURE FROM THE CIRCLE TRUST AND SELLING IT TO
A DEALER.
HE WAS JAILED FOR NINE MONTHS AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO
ROBBERY ON OCTOBER 10 THIS YEAR.
MISS ALISON GINN, DEFENDING, SAID PADGINGTON HAD BEEN
DRINKING AND TAKING MEDICATION FOR EPILEPSY AT THE SAME TIME, AND
WAS DEPRESSED ABOUT LOSING HIS FLAT.
ENDS
