“PROPER CRIMINAL” AT 16

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31227, 26 November 1966, Page 3

“PROPER CRIMINAL” AT 16

(N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, Nov. 25. Described by M r Stewart Hardy, S.M., as a “proper criminal” a 16-year-old Auckland boy pleaded guilty to 62 charges of burglary, unlawful car conversion and wilful damage, in the Children’s Court at Hamilton yesterday. Another boy, aged 14, whom the Magistrate said was the ring-leader of a trio responsible for the numerous offences, was committed to Oakleigh Hospital for observation.

The 64 charges against the 16-year-old took nearly an

hour to read. Two charges were withdrawn after a plea of not guilty. The boy pleaded guilty to 35 burglary counts, nine attempted burglary, 14 of unlawful car conversion and four of wilful damage. Detective - Sergeant M. O’Connor said the two boys’ activities covered Auckland, Mount Maunganui, Putaruru, Tirau, Turangi, Frankton, Ohakune, Taupo, Katikati, Morrinsville, Cambridge, Raetihi, Te Awamutu and Karapiro.

“On several occasions the boys converted motor-cars to use for burglaries and removing safes.” Detective-Sergeant O’Connor said the Auckland offences occurred between May 3 and November 3 this year. Most of the crimes were committed between September and November. At Raetihi on November 9, the youths stole rifles and 1000 rounds of ammunition.

They fired five rounds into a parked car causing £45 worth of damage. Another five bullets were fired into a car at Ohakune two days later causing £B2 damage. The boys also fired several bullets into a shop at Ohakune, but no-one was injured. Many of the burglaries involved shops and garages. Substantial amounts of stolen cash and cheques had not been recovered. Clothing and other goods were also still missing.

Sentencing the boy to Borstal training on each of the 62 charges, the Magistrate said: "You should go to gaol for a substantial term. But, at your age, the sentence I’m giving you is all the law p°rmits.”

John Stuart Dudfield, aged 18, the third in the gang, of Auckland, pleaded guilty to 38 separate charges in the Magistrate’s Court. There were 30 burglary charges and eight of car conversion.

The Magistrate remanded Dudfield till Monday for sentence.