Gum-Chewing Youth Gaoled

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31208, 4 November 1966, Page 1

Gum-Chewing Youth Gaoled

(N.Z. Press Association! DUNEDIN, Nov. 2. A bare-footed youth who pulled a piece of chewing gum from his mouth in a long strip in the Magistrate’s Court at Dunedin this afternoon was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment by Mr J. D. Murray, S.M. The incident occurred when the youth, Rowlatt Finton Kerr, aged 17, unemployed, arrived late for the

sitting after the luncheon adjournment. He entered the court through the public entrance and walked to a bench he had shared with two other youths and two young girls since about 10.30 a.m. When he was half-way to the bench he turned, faced the Magistrate, and slowly removed the chewing gum in a strip from his mouth. The Magistrate immediately issued a Bench warrant for the youth’s arrest Charged with contempt of Court, Kerr was convicted and fined £7 10s, costs £1 10s, in default of immediate pay-

ment, seven days’ imprisonment

Kerr had no money, and was removed from the court to Dunedin gaol. He was in court to face a charge of operating a defective motor-vehicle. Found guilty on this charge he was convicted and fined £lO, costs £1 10s, in default of immediate payment 10 days' imprisonment. This term was added to his seven-day sentence. Kerr appeared in court dressed in old jeans, and a dirty white denim jacket. His companions -> ere dressed similarly. One vf

them wore a leather jacket adorned with chains. When he first entered the court he was told to remove a battered cap from bis head. On one occasion during the sitting the Magistrate had to instruct Kerr to remove chewing gum from his mouth, and the court orderly spoke to the group three times because of their behaviour. One of the other two youths, Ronald Walter Hill, aged 18, unemployed, was also sentenced to 10 days’ imprisonment when be was >r<able to pay a £lO fine for •>erahng the same defective ;. ehtoie.