MAGISTRATE’S COURT Brothers Admit Burglary Charge

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30642, 7 January 1965, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Brothers Admit Burglary Charge

After plugging the keyhole and edges of a safe door with gelignite and covering all with towelling and coats gathered from the building, two brothers found they were unable to detonate the explosive, Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M., was told in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The brothers, Lester Mervyn Ramage, aged 33, a driver, and Ronald Andrew Ramage, aged 31, a fencing contractor, pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary at the Butler Timber Company, Ltd.’s, Blenheim road warehouse on January 1. Sergeant L. A. Dowell, for the police, said that about 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day a nightwatchman had entered the warehouse and disturbed an intruder.

About 15 minutes later a police dog found Ronald Andrew Ramage, the brother of the intruder who had been disturbed initially, hiding in the building. Near where he was located were found two detonators, one of which had been crimped on to fuse. Entry to the building had been gained through the removal of glass louvres.

The safe had been plugged with gelignite and clothing had been draped around it. Ronald Andrew Ramage had said they had unsuccessfully attempted to detonate the explosive and were gathering electrical goods when they had been disturbed, said Sergeant Dowell. He had refused to give the name of his companion, but had directed the police to a car where a further seven sticks of gelignite were found. Ronald Andrew Ramage, as a fencing contractor, had lawful access to gelignite, detonators and fuse, said Sergeant Dowell.

Lester Mervyn Ramage had later been arrested in Spreydon. He was employed as a driver, and in the course of his work spent considerable time in the Butler Timber Company’s yard. Ronald Andrew Ramage had suggested to his brother that they should undertake the escapade, said Sergeant Dowell. Lester Mervyn Ram-i age had previous convictions. Mr S. G. Erber, who appeared for the brothers, asked for bail and for a continuation of the interim suppression placed on the publication of Ronald Andrew Ramage’s name. The Magistrate, in remanding the brothers for sentence on January 13, said he refused bail to safe-breakers who used explosives, and that the men would therefore be remanded in custody. He also said he would make no order in respect of the publication of Ronald Andrew Ramage's name. PROBATION Peter Patrick Quinn, aged SO. an unemployed barman (Mr G.

T. Mahon) appeared for sentence on a charge of having obtained £l5 12s 6d by false pretences at Christchurch on November 14. He was admitted to probation for 18 months. Special probation terms were that he go forthwith to Rotoroa Island and not leave without the written consent of the probation officer. He was also to take out a prohibition order for the term of his probation and to make restitution of £l5 12s dd. IDLE AND DISORDERLY Victor William Edward Noel Te Kahu, aged 22. unemployed, appeared for sentence on a charge of being idle and disorderly at Christchurch on December 23. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within six months if called upon. Leon Bernard Palmer, aged 22, unemployed, appeared for sen tence on a charge of being idle and disorderly at Christchurch on December 23. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within six months if called upon. REMANDED Robert Gourley, aged 29. a workman <Mr R. L. Kerr), appeared on a charge of false pretences and was remanded in custody to January 13. Peter John Olds, aged 20. a workman (Mr J. F. Burn), and an 18-year-old companion, whose name was suppressed (Mr M. J. Glue), appeared on a joint charge of unlawfully converting a car at Christchurch on January 2. Olds pleaded guilty and was convicted and remanded in custody to appear for sentence on January 14. His companion was also remanded to appear on January 14. No plea was taken. He was allowed bail. James Clarence Aitken, aged 25, a freezing worker (Mr Erber), appeared on a charge of assault at Christchurch on January 1. Bail was renewed. Paul Thomas Allen, aged 21, a workman (Mr Erber), appeared on a charge of being unlawfully in an enclosed yard at Christchurch on December 29. He was remanded to appear on January 21. Ball was allowed. Makahuri Butler, aged 22, a watersider, appeared on a charge of reckless driving in Fendalton road on December 31, to which he pleaded not guilty, and a charge of unlawfully taking a motor car on the same date on which he elected trial by jury. An application for bail was refused and he was remanded in custody till January 14.

William Douglas Isherwood, aged 19, a workman (Mr Erberi. appeared on a charge of burglary at Christchurch on January 3. He elected trial by jury and was remanded till January 14. Bail was allowed. Kenney Karena Kaipo. aged 22. a workman, appeared on a charge of being in possession of instruments of burglary by night on December 15. Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody till January 13. Robert Harden Manawatu, aged 45. a truck-driver <Mr Erberi. appeared on a charge of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs at Christchurch on January 1 and was remanded till January 14. Ball was renewed. Hikitoia Matenga, aged 27, a workman, appeared on a charge of burglary at Christchurch on January 1. He elected trial by jury. An application for ball was refused and he was remanded In custody till January 14. Dupree Thomas Orpwood, aged 29. a driver, appeared on a charge of threatening to kill on January 5 and was remanded for a report under the Mental Health Act He will appear again on February 1. Clifford Raeburn Piper, aged 50. a company director, appear ed on a charge of driving while under the influence of liquor or drugs at Christchurch on January 2 and was remanded till January 21. Ball was allowed.