MAGISTRATE’S COURT Two Years’ Imprisonment On 36 Charges Of Dishonesty

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31407, 28 June 1967, Page 13

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Two Years’ Imprisonment On 36 Charges Of Dishonesty

“With this record, a long sentence in prison is inevitable” said Mr E. A. Lee, S.M. In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday when Martin O’Keefe, aged 24, a hotel steward, appeared for sentence on 36 charges. O’Keefe (Mr P. D. Woolley) was imprisoned for a total of two years and fined £2O on 28 charges of false pretences, four charges of fraud, two charges of theft, one charge of a breach of transport licencing regulations, and one charge of escaping from lawful custody. The offences occurred between April 18 and June 22 at Christchurch, Lyttelton, Banks Peninsula, Ashburton, Timaru, Cromwell, Waimate, Oamaru, Blenheim, Hundalee, Domett, Woodend, Wellington, Picton, Wanaka, and Mount Cook. Mr Woolley said the defendant was intelligent, but he lacked a great deal of selfconfidence. He was capable of securing a place in the community. “Any young girl with intelligence interested in you must have either tremendous courage or be incredibly foolish,” the Magistrate said. “You were discharged from prison last March after serving sentences for a large number of false pretences and frauds.

“You now appear on 36 charges involving dishonesty of one form or another.”

O’Keefe had had periods of Borstal training and imprisonment previously. The probation officer’s report said he had both the intelligence to do something with his life and ambitions which were well within his ability to attain.

Six months’ imprisonment was imposed on charges of

false pretences, fraud, theft, and escaping from lawful custody, to be cumulative. O’Keefe was fined £2O (or 21 days’ imprisonment in default) for breach of transport licensing regulations, and imprisoned for three months on all other charges, the period to be concurrent with the two years’ imprisonment. SIX MONTHS’ GAOL “You have appeared on eight occasions, all for indecency. On a great many of them you have been sentenced to imprisonment. You are accepted as a confirmed homosexual,” the magistrate told Cyril Allan Kemp, aged 24, a clothes presser (Mr R. G. Blunt) when Kemp appeared for sentence on a charge that on April 20 he attempted to induce a male to do an indecent act.

Mr Blunt had submitted that homosexuality was a real problem for which prison offered no help. It was a medical problem but even there there could be difficulties.

He suggested that Kemp be either further remanded or that a suspended sentence be imposed together with probation as there was a chance Kemp could have reached a turning point in his life. “A prison environment is the wrong thing for him,” Mr Blunt said. The Magistrate said counsel’s submissions were quite inviting but unless a person was certifiable he refused to make an order that that person should enter a mental hospital. I

“Treatment which is made compulsory is useless. It is only if the offender desires treatment that it is any use at all.” As late as 1963 the health authorities had said that Kemp wanted aid only to avoid penalty. “It doesn’t seem that at any time you have sought assistance except when you have been charged,” said the magistrate.

The magistrate said Kemp had been introduced to the practice by an adult while a youth and he had refused mental aid.

“Fortunately for you the boy rejected your approaches.” Medical aid is available to you at any time you want to take it If you want treatment then you can secure it when you’re released,” he said.

As the offence had only been an attempt the sentence imposed would be six months’ imprisonment the magistrate said. VALUELESS CHEQUES

A man who cashed valueless cheques and then went to Australia, was convicted and remanded until July 3 for a probation report and sentence. Laurence lan Geddis, aged 20, a railway surfaceman, pleaded guilty to 18 charges of obtaining goods and cash by false pretences, 15 of which were committed with D. Bennett and G. Cassidy. The offences were committed between February 10 and February 20, at Dunedin. Blenheim, Invercargill, Queenstown, Hokitika, Nelson, and Christchurch. Sergeant A. D. Stevenson said the defendant and his wife were in business in Christchurch in January and they opened a joint cheque account. On Friday, February 10, a cheque arrived at the bank with only the defendant’s signature on it.

The same day, a complaint from Hazledean Motors was received that a cheque for £65 had been dishonoured. On May 31, the defendant was located at Cass and arrested. He said he had left Christchurch with Cassidy and Bennett, and they cashed cheques in various parts of the South Island. They had travelled to Auckland and there purchased a car. In March, all three sailed to Australia on the proceeds of various cheques. In April, Geddis flew back to New Zealand and rejoined his wife. Cassidy and Bennett were still in Australia. Mr S. G. Erber said Geddis wanted to repay the money. Altogether, goods and cash to the value of £330 10s had been obtained, and only a car valued at £65 had been recovered, said Sergeant Stevenson. Restitution of £265 10s was asked. Bail was allowed. PROBATION

The defendant had been dismissed from his job on the West Coast, and after he had been unable to find work in Christchurch, had committed the offence, said Mr J. K. Fuimaono, counsel for Vincent Harold Cant, aged 30, a plasterer.

Cant was appearing for sentence on a charge of defrauding Palmer House, Ltd., by disposing of a television receiver valued at £l2B, while it was subject to a hire purchase agreement on January 26. Mr Fuimaono, in asking the court to place the defendant on probation, said Cant had pawned the set at a shop to get money to support his family. He was still unable to find employment, and was repentant over the offence. The Magistrate said he accepted counsel’s proposals. Cant was placed on probation for a year, and ordered to repay £36 as directed by the probation officer. FINED £4O Douglas Haig Anderson, aged 49, a freezing worker, was fined £4O and disqualified for three years when he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while under the influence of drink or a drug on State Highway No. 1 on June 5. Sergeant Stevenson said about 5.55 p.m. a traffic officer on patrol saw the defendant approach his car by the Islington Hotel. He was unsteady on his feet. The traffic officer followed the car. which was being driven erratically.

When the car stopped in a driveway, Anderson admitted to having about five drinks.

Mr J. G. Leggat, Anderson’s counsel, said his client was completely at a loss as to why he had performed as he had, considering the small amount of liquor consumed. TOOK CAR Kenneth Shane Stevens, aged 20, a workman, was imprisoned for four months, to be followed by one year’s probation, and he was disqualified from driving for a further year when he appeared on a charge that on May 6 at Timaru he unlawfully took a car valued at £550, the property of R. D. Adams. FINED £2O Eric Donald Bruce, aged 23, a truck driver, was convicted, fined £2O, placed on probation for one year, and ordered to pay restitution of £4 when he appeared on a charge that on May 5 he stole a cycle valued at £l5. the property of R. G. Orchard. CHARGE DENIED A charge of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, against John Milne, aged 54, an engineer, was adjourned part-heard for one week. Milne (Mr K. A. Gough) denies the charge that arose from an incident on June 3 on Sparks road. Bail was renewed. FINED £7 10s "Basan is an alcoholic, and this is where his trouble lay,” said counsel, Mr H. W. Thompson. when Bernard Francis Basan, aged 40, a labourer, appeared for sentence on a charge of the theft of three sacks of potatoes. Basan was fined £7 10s. STOLE RECORDS Peter John Bennett, aged 17, an unemployed freezing worker, was ordered to appear for sentence if required to do so within six months when he appeared for sentence on a charge of the theft of records valued at £l7 10s. Restitution of £5 was ordered to be paid within a month. OBTAINED CREDIT Paul George Maurice, a bankrupt, was ordered to come up for sentence if required to do so within a year on a charge of obtaining credit of £l5O while an undischarged bankrupt. Maurice, who was appearing for sentence, was represented by Mr J. W. Dalmer. STOLE CYCLE David John Postlethwatte, aged 18, a workman, was convicted and fined £5 when he appeared on a charge that on April 22 he stole a cycle valued at £lB, the property of David Baxter. REMANDED Stephen Bazley, aged 31, a company director, was charged that on June 19 he wilfully attempted to defeat the course of justice by causing a material exhibit in the case of the Police v. Stephen Bazley to be removed from the office of J. B. Midgley, public accountant. Bazley was remanded in custody till July 4, bail having been refused. (Before Mr E. S. J. Crutchley) DISCHARGED At a hearing for final determination of a prosecution which had been remitted back to the Magistrate’s Court after an appeal in the Supreme Court Melville Hugh Henderson, a farmer, of Amberley, who hao been charged with failing to comply with the directions of the Kowal County Council noxious weeds inspector was discharged under section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act on payment of court costs of £1 10s and solicitor's fees of £3 3s. Mr K. N. Hampton appeared for the Kowal County Council and Mr M. J. Cashmere appeared for Henderson. CIVIL CASES JUDGMENT SUMMONSES

The following orders were made on judgment summonses: F. I. Anderson, a labourer. Mountbatten street, to pay Union Motors, Ltd., £8 16s, in default 10 days imprisonment, warrant suspended on payment of £1 a week . t T. M. Anderson, a labourer, of Portchester street, to pay Palmer House, Ltd., £5 10s (seven days or £1 a week); H. P. W. Bell, a labourer, c/o. Canterbury Hotel, Lyttelton, to pay C. M. Finlason £lO 3s (12 days or £1 a week); O. G. Blackler, a workman, Darvel street, to pay Walker Services, Ltd., £25 13s 7d (29 days or 10s a week). I. S. Dawson, a labourer, Cashel street, to pay C. L. Rhodes Rental Cars and Trucks. Ltd., £3 13s (five days); R. J. Fraser, a labourer, Ely street, to pay A. E. Nevell and Son £BB 16s 9d (90 days or £2 a week); S. J. Gillan, a driver, Merrington crescent, to pay John Rhind, Ltd., £7l 7s (75 days or £1 a week). I. R. Grace, a labourer, Cashel street, to pay Christchurch Gas, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., £29 8s 4d (32 days or £1 a week); K. Hanafin, an electrician, Yaldhurst road, to pay Eras and Company £1 10s (three days), I. Hammett, a labourer, c/o. Habgoods, Ltd., Middlepark road, to pay W. W. Keighley and Company, Ltd.. £2 10s( four days). W. E. Hook, a labourer. Union street, to pay Southern Bottling Company, Ltd., £73 Ils 4d (78 days or £1 a week); H. J. Johns, a bootmaker, Cranbrook avenue, to pay Papanui Timber Company. Ltd., £l2 Is 8d (14 days or £1 a week); L. Kerr, a labourer, Veitchs road, to pay New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., £37 13s (41 days or £1 a week). H. Lewis, a workman, Earnslaw crescent, to pay Christopher Bede Studios Ltd., £l7 15s 6d (20 days or £1 a week); L. M. Myles, a labourer, Battersea street, to pay Reefton Boatmans Coal Supply, Ltd., £8 10s 4d (10 day or £1 a week); N. Mcßae, a labourer, Weston road, to pay Farrier Waimak, Ltd., £7 8s 3d (eight davs or £1 a week). M. McGregor, a married woman, Gilberthorpes road, to pay Taylor Tyre Company, Ltd., £4 4s lOd (five days); T. Mason, a driver, Yarmouth street, to pay Mac’s Market £l9 4s 4d (21 days or £1 a week); T. R. O’Connor, a driver, Godley avenue, to -pay B. I. Hamilton £4 8s 6d (five days or 5s a week); R. Patrick, a labourer. Marine parade, to pay Smiths City Market £3 15s (five days).

R. Postlewalte, a labourer, Oakland avenue, to pay Ballins Industries. Ltd., £l2 Ils 9d (15 days or £1 a week); Joseph Schwlager. a labourer, Earnslaw crescent, to pay Palmer House, Ltd., £3 16s (five days): Thomas Errol Sheehan, a contractor, Yarmouth street, to pay Mac’s Market £7 13s 5d (nine days or £1 a week). J. Vine, a labourer, Port Hills road, to pay Skyline Finance Ltd. £36 7s 2d (39 days or £1 a week); B. Watts, a labourer. Burns street, to pay Eras and Co. £4 5s (five days); P. E. White, cabinetmaker, Russell street, to pay Eras and Co. £4 13s (six days). A. Webster, a worker. Mallingley street, to pay Saunders and Scandrett Ltd. £5 (six days).

ORDERS MADE ON A REHEARING Una Merle Whitelaw, a widow, Clyde road, to pay P. Burke and Company, Ltd. £23 15s fid <27 days or 5s a week); U. M. Whitelaw, a married woman, Clyde road, to pay Robert J. Hampton Ltd. £5O 6s 5d (54 days or 5s a week); U. Whitelaw, a widow, Clyde road, to pay Riccarton Electrical Supplies (1963) Ltd. £3O 9s 6d (33 days or 5s a week). POSSESSION ORDERS The State Advances Corporation was granted possession orders in respect of three Christchurch houses on the ground that the rent was in arrears in each case. Lionel Robert Stanilton Cross, a driver, and Janice Butler Cross, his wife, were ordered to give up possession of premises at 6A Hampshire street and to pay £4l 4s 8d arrears of rent and costs. Vivian George Marsh, a surfaceman and Sylvia Rubina Marsh, his wife, were ordered to give up possession of premises at 336 Clyde road and to pay £Bl 15s 9d arrears of rent and costs. Trevor Lewis Maxwell Clarkson, a dragline operator, and June Patricia Clarkson, his wife were ordered to give up possession of premises at 65 Hoani street and to pay £5O Ils 2d arrears of rent and costs. (Before Mr P. L. Molineaux, S.M.) FOUR MONTHS’ PRISON A period of four months’ imprisonment was imposed on David John Forrester, aged 27, a cook, on a charge of burglary. Forrester was appearing for sentence and was represented by Mr J. M. Wilson. On a further charge of breach of probation he was discharged. In imprisoning Forrester, the Magistrate said that it was only five months since the defendant was released from gaol. FORGERY CHARGES A man who forged his brother’s name on a Post Office Savings Bank withdrawal slip, involving the sum of £l, was ordered to come up for sentence within 12 months if called upon. Leonard James Leybourne, aged 23, a driver, pleaded guilty to the charge and was appearing for sentence. TRAFFIC CASES In cases brought by the Christchurch City Council traffic department, tines were imposed and convictions entered (each with £1 10s costs) as follows: Exceeding 30 miles an hour: Kevin John Whyte. £6 (disqualified from driving for six months); Murray James Watson, £5; Bevan Berry, £6; Beau David McCracken, 11; Neville James Mclntosh, £3 (exceeding speed limit without a safety helmet, £1); David William Hutson, £3; John Joseph May, £5: John Robert Moffett, £5; David James Blair, £3: Lionel Percy Cuff, £4; Molly Gray, £4: Joseph Raymond Hainsworth, £3; Barry Thomas Jack, £4; Anthony Olaf Jacobson, £5; Brian Henry Johnson, £4 (no safety helmet, costs); Barry Francis Jones, £3; John Stephen Lunn, £5; John Threiplant McKitterick, £7; Peter James McLaughlan, £5; Jeffrey David Munro, £5; Aloysius Gerardus Marla Naber, £3; Tony Allen Neilson, £3; David John Nichols, £5; Rex Heathcote Pascoe, £3: Timothy Ironside Pearse, £3; Has Kenneth Price, £4; Peter Michael Redstone, £6 (disqualified for one month); Peter William Scott, £4: Wayne Sykes, £2 (no warrant of fitness. £1); Phys Henry Taylor, £5; John William Thomson, £4; Graham William Veale, £7; William Alexander Wilson, £5; Donald William Wood, £3. Careless use: Brent Hinkley. £8 (failing to give name and address, £3). Failing to stop at a school patrol: Pamela Mary Ponsonby, £5: John Joseph Sterry, £7. Expired meter: Maurice Blackmore Tattle, £1 10s; Christopher John Perrin (two charges), £2- Thomas Gilmour Washbourne. £1; Roger Anthony Bamford, £1; Doone Desmond Barry, £1; Eric Noe) Black, £1; Sydney Keith Boese, £1; John Edward Butler, £2; Basil Edward Carlaw. £1: Murray Joseph Chapell, £1- Ellen Irene Clark. £1; Rhona Daubney, £1: John Surtees Drew (two charges), £4; John Joseph Genet, £1; Lawrence Eustace Graham (two charges), £2: Colleen Vera Hunter, £1; Vincent Lolotai, £1; Laurence Patrick McEnaney, £1: Brian Leslie McMillan, £1; Kelvyn Alfred Mudgway, £1; William Harkin, £1: Edward Francis Nolan, £1: ® r, ,® n O’Shoughnessey, £1; Gary Colin Pool, £1; william Albert Warren Ruddiman, £1: Barry Joseph Stammers. £1; Graham Irving Thomas, £5; Frank Walmsley, £1: Patrick Henry Webb, £1; Peter Ronald Yock, £1 Falllng to comply with traffic lights.: David Roger Taylor. £4. Failing to stop in distance between vehicles: John Bruce Scott, £3. . . Failing to display "L” plate: Sam Ah Young. £3; Donald Andrew Griffin, £2; James Peter Bremner, £3; lan David Ingram, £2; Peter Stuart Taylor. £2 (carrying pillion passenger £2). Speed might have been dangerous: Brian Anderson, £25 (disqualified from driving for 18 months). No warrant of fitness: Charles Leonard Dunstan, £3; Robert James Watson (two charges), £4 (failing to produce driving licence (two charges). £9; insufficient lights, £4); Albert Reginald King. £1; Stanley Arthur John Campbell, £3; Trevor John Carstairs. £2: Clarence Ralph Winton Davey, £3; Keith Manson, £1; Graham Patrick Mulcay, £3 (inappropriate licence. £3); John William Ryder, £2; David Leslie Owen Taft. £2. Failing to give way at a give way sign: Neville Winston Tipene, £6; Maurice Chapman Lintott, £7. Noisy vehicle: Brian James Beattie, £6; Dennis Bromley. £6. Failing to stop at a compulsory stop: Charles Stocks Bishop, £5; Kenneth William Grassam. £5; John Sydney Arnott Pearce, £5; Joseph Billy Schwaiger, £8; Alan Alfred Walker. £6. No safety chain: Ronald Lyall Bruce, costs only: Dennis Thornby Smith, £4. Parking on a bus stop: James Bernard Duncan, £2: John Bernard Meikle, £4; Roger Sorokoput. £3. Double parked: Benjamin Paul England, £3: John Hartley Hammet. £3; James David Myles, £3. No driver’s licence: Joseph Knopfler, £6: Keith James Mtlla Falling to give way to the right: Donald James McDonald, £6.

Racing Death.—The Italian racing driver. G. Perdomi, has died from injuries suffered on the racing track. He was the fifth racing driver to die in Europe in the last six weeks.