Sullivan, John Lawrence - P7529
SQUIRT LABELLED "DANGEROUS"
Ice-cream dealer burglary charge
A SMALL SQUIRT labelled "Dangerous--handle with care," a jemmy, a torch, eight keys and a pair of gloves were exhibited on the sollicitors' table at Marylebone Court when John Lawrence Sullivan, 24, ice-cream dealer, of Balmore Street, Hightgate, was charged on remand with burglariousty breaking into a flat in Lancaster Terrace, Paddington, with intent to commit a felony; possessing housebreaking implements by night and possessing an offensive weapon (a squirt containing ammonia solution).
Mrs. Louisa Baker, caretaker, said at about 10.5 p.m. on May 5, she went to the flat, the occupants of which were away. She heard a noise like a man tapping a pipe on a table. She went to the flat below and phoned the police.
Constable Stacey said he saw Sullivan come from the rear window of the flat and run up the fire escape. He caught him after he had thrown away a jemmy. On Sullivan were a torch, eight keys, and a squirt -- containing a liquid smelling of ammonia. Asked what the "squirt gun" was for, he said, "I use it upon the dogs in joints if they give me any trouble."
A pane of glass had been removed from the kitchen door at the flat and there were jemmy marks on inner doors.
Cross-examined, the Constable said he didnt know that the squirt might be used on a lady's hair or for squirting ammonia on the plugs of cars.
Sullivan was sent for trail at the Sessions. He pleaded not quilty to the charges.
Marylebone Mercury - Saturday 29 May 1948
AMMONIA PISTOL ON SUSPECT
When arrested on a charge of housebreaking, a musician was found to be in possession of a toy pistol wth a rubber bulb attached, in which there was a strong solution of ammonia.
This was stated at the County of London Sessions, on Friday, when John Lawrence Sullivan, 25, of Highgate, pleaded quilty to breaking and entering the house of Sidney Camber, of Lancaster Terrace, Bayswater, with intent to steal; possessing housebreaking implements by night -- a jemmy, torch, eight keys and a pair of gloves -- and being armed with an offensive weapon, a squirt gun with ammonia solution, with intent to break and enter Mr. Camber's house.
Called for the defence, Dr. Frost, of Wimpole Street, W, said that he found Sullivan in a state of depression bordering upon insanity. Explaining the "squirt gun," he said he used it upon the blonde hair of the woman with whom he was living and also to clean the plugs of his car. He considered that Sullivan would respond to treatment in a private nursing home or mental home rather than hospital treatment in prison.
Mr. Eustace Fulton, the chairman, passed sentence of 15 months' imprisonment.
Kensington Post - Saturday 19 June 1948
