“Drunken Stupidity” In Car Incident

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29820, 12 May 1962, Page 10

“Drunken Stupidity” In Car Incident

(New Zealand Press Association)

NELSON, May 11. “This appears to have been an act of drunken stupidity,” said Mr G. A. Nicholls. S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court at Nelson today when sentencing three men who appeared on a series of charges. Before him were Pera Tutoko Herewini, aged 24. James Samuel Dean Hiraaged 21, and Carl Paru. aged 25. Herewini pleaded guilty to the theft of a sheep at Motupiko, assaulting Richard William Perrin at Korere, driving while intoxicated, and the conversion of a car and a motor-cycle at Korere. The offences occurred on May 3 Hira plepded guilty to the theft of the sheep, and Paru pleaded guilty to the conversion of a car. Sergeant W A. Stock said that on May 3, about 2 p.m.. the accused had been drinking in the Korere Hotel. Mr Perrin, who was waiting for his car to be greased, had several drinks with them and agreed to take them to Golden Downs, where he also was employed During this period Perrin had found the three accused quite friendly A short time after they left the hotel, Herewini grabbed the steering wheel a number of times and then struck Perrin with a bottle and his fist. At Motupiko the three took over the car. While there, Herewini and Hira chased a sheep, caught it and placed i' in the boot of the car—where they had also placed Perrin, said Sergeant Stock At the turn-off to Golden Downs Herewini took a motor-cycle and followed the car, which travelled towards Nelson. Near Foxhill Herewini crashed the motorcycle They continued o” tn the car and reached Wakefield, where Perrin escaped. The three then went to a hotel, but were refused liquor and ordered off the premises. The car roared off with Hira driving and was later found crashed into a power pole at Spring Grove. 'Rte accused were arrested at Wakefield

and later admitted the offence.

Mr D J. Boyle, for the accused, said the escapade was mainly due to liquor. They had been in custody since their arrest. . Mr Nicholls sentenced Herewini to imprisonment for 14 days for driving while intoxicated, and for unlawfully converting the motorcycle, the sentences to be served concurrently His driving licence was also cancelled for three years. On the other charges. Herewini was convicted and discharged. Hira and Paru were convicted and discharged.