YOUTH ROBBED TWO MEN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30289, 15 November 1963, Page 17

YOUTH ROBBED TWO MEN

Starting Pistol Used A 16-year-old youth used a black starting pistol to rob two men of £32 5s and a cheque for £7 12s while they were sitting in a car outside a coffee lounge in High street in the early hours of Sunday. Sergeant B. D. Read told Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M., tn the Children’s Court yesterday. The youth was remanded to police custody to November 22 for sentence An order was made that he be kept apart from other prisoners. He pleaded guilty.About 2 a.m. on Sunday t*o Greeks, Peter Christopher and Kypros Kotzikas. left the Mikado coffee lounge in. High street, Sergeant Read said. As they were crossing tlfe road to their car the accused, and another youth who was to be dealt with in the Magistrate's Court, were crossing the street in the opposite direction. The accused called out to the two Greeks. The two youths approached the car and the accused asked Christopher if he had any money. He pulled a black starting pistol from his pocket and said: “Your money or your life.” Christopher was under the impression that the starting pistol was a lethal firearm and he gave the accused a 10s note and two halfcrowns, said Sergeant Read. Kotzikas was asked for money and he gave the accused 10s. The accused threatened Christopher with the pistol and said: ‘‘Come on. give me the rest of the money that you have got.” Christopher said he had no more money and the accused felt in his pockets as he sat in the car, said Sergeant Read. Tpe accused asked Christopher what he had in his left trouser pocket and Christopher replied that it was only papers. The accused demanded to see them. Christopher then produced his remaining money from the left pocket This consisted of £2l in New Zealand currency, two English £5 notes, and a cheque for £7 10s, said Sergeant Read The accused ordered Christopher to start the car and drive down St Asaph street

On November 12 the accused was interviewed at Kaikoura and he admitted his part in the offence. He said he had spent the money on beer, meals and cigarettes He had destroyed the English money and the cheque The accused had previous convictions. Sergeant Read said.

Mr G. T. Mahon appeared for the accused.