Magistrate’s Court Youths Fined £2O Each For Stealing Petrol

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31049, 3 May 1966, Page 9

Magistrate’s Court Youths Fined £2O Each For Stealing Petrol

Joseph Arthur Taplin, aged 19, a truck driver, Jack Tipu Taylor, aged 21, a glass-factory worker, and Terry William Palmer, aged 17, a fork-lift driver, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to a joint charge that on May 1 they stole petrol valued at 9s 7d from C. E. Gwatkin and Company, Ltd. Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M., convicted each, fined him £2O, and ordered him to pay 2s 2d restitution.

Sergeant J. M. Phelan said that after receiving a complaint about 8.47 p.m. about some youths and an old car near the corner of Byron and Gasson streets the police found two youths near the car. The petrol filler cap was off, and petrol had been spilt on the road.

Taplin was found in Gwatkin’s yard under a tarpaulin. He had two gallon cans of petrol and rubber hosing. Only one of the youths had any money in his possession, and that was a small amount, he said. WILFUL DAMAGE

Toko Temoana, aged 18, a labourer, was fined £l5 and was ordered to pay restitution of £l2 10s on charges of causing wilful damage and purchasing liquor while a minor. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Phelan said that on February 5 the accused was evicted from the flat he was in, and returned that evening and smashed six windows with his hands and boots. He had been drinking. He told the police he smashed the windows because he was mad about being evicted. He was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts he suffered In breaking the windows. ASSAULT Robert Alister Bergman, aged 18, a labourer, was convicted on a charge of assaulting Geoffrey Charles Barr on February 27, and was remanded on bail to May 9 for sentence. He pleaded not guilty, and was represented by Mr M. G. L. Loughnan. A charge against Bergman of using obscene language on February 27 was dismissed. He pleaded not guilty. Barr, aged 15, a factoryhand, said he was hit on the nose and lip by Bergman in Greers road after he and his girl friend refused a ride in a car with Bergman and another youth. DISCHARGED Robert John Miller, aged 22, a timber worker, pleaded guilty to a charge that on March 3, 1965, he assaulted Peter Richard Almore at Auckland. He was discharged under section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act and ordered to pay £1 10s costs. OBSTRUCTED FOOTPATH William Ray Hopping, aged 18, a glass-factory worker, pleaded guilty to a charge that on May 1 in Cathedral square he obstructed the footpath. He was convicted and fined £2O. OBSCENE LANGUAGE William Allen Dennett, aged 22, rubber worker, was fined £lO for using obscene language in a public place. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Phelan said the charge arose from an incident at a party on May 1. GLASS ON ROAD James Taylor Shedden, a truck driver, was fined £2O on a charge of leaving broken glass in Ferry road on March 10. ATTACK BY DOG Shirley Dunstan, a married woman, of New Brighton, was fined £4 and ordered to pay medical expenses of £l, on a charge of being the owner of a dog that attacked a person. She pleaded guilty, and was represented by Mr N, Wilson. In convicting the defendant, the Magistrate said there was a large element of misfortune involved. The dog was usually kept under control, and a signed statement by immediate neighbours supported that. CHARGES ADMITTED

William Ross McGill, aged 17, machine operator, was fined £5 for purchasing T.A.B. tickets while under the age of 21. He pleaded guilty. On a charge of unlawfully taking a bicycle, McGill was

convicted and remanded on bail to May 9 for sentence. He pleaded guilty. FIREARM OFFENCE For obtaining a rifle without a permit, Brian Patrick Dewar, aged 19, a driver, was fined £5. LICENSING OFFENCES Thomas Robert Burt, aged 57, a storeman, was fined £3 on a charge of being in a hotel after hours. He pleaded guilty. Burt was discharged under section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act, on payment of costs of £1 IQs, on a charge of giving false information to the police. He pleaded not guilty to this charge and conducted his own defence. Peter Kapene, aged 23, a labourer, was fined £3 for being on licensed premises after hours. He pleaded guilty. Reginald John Sagar, aged 20, an apprentice fitter and turner, was fined £3 on a charge of being in a hotel when a minor on March 31. Peter Roy Smith, aged 20, a warehouseman, was fined £3 for being found in a bar when a minor. FAILED TO ATTEND CAMP

Leslie John Fissenden, aged 23, a contractor, was fined £25 for failing to attend a camp. The Magistrate said it was a

case of deliberate refusal to go to camp. Kereama Tipene, aged 22, a painter, was fined £5 on a charge of failing to notify the Army of a change of address and £2 for failing to attend a camp. CHARGE DISMISSED For lack of prosecution, a charge of carrying an offensive weapon, against a man whose name was suppressed, was dismissed. (Before Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M.) PROBATION Marinos Anghelachis, aged 34, a machine operator, was admitted to probation for 12 months when he appeared for sentence on a charge of assaulting a child on April 25. The Magistrate said he was placing Anghelachis on probation not for punishment but so that the Court could have some means of reviewing his behaviour to the child and so that he and his wife could have the benefit of the probation service if difficulties arose. DISCHARGED A man, whose name was suppressed (Mr I. C. J. Polson), was discharged under section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act when he appeared for sentence on a charge of offensive behaviour in the Botanic Gardens on April 9.