MAGISTRATE’S COURT Man Found Hiding After Escape From Traffic Officer

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31499, 13 October 1967, Page 9

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Man Found Hiding After Escape From Traffic Officer

After he had been arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of drink or drugs a young man ran off and was later found hiding under a machine in a factory, Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M., was told in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. William Alfred Gibbs, aged 26, a pipe finisher (Mr W. S. . Smith) was fined $lOO on a charge of driving under the influence of drink or drugs on Carmen Road on September 30. He was ordered to pay witnesses’ and medical expenses and Court costs totalling $12.80 and his driver's licence was cancelled for three years. Gibbs war. convicted and discharged on a charge of careless driving on Carmen Road and was fined $5O on a charge of escaping from lawful custody. He pleaded not guilty to the first two charges and guilty to the escaping charge. Evidence was given that Traffic Officer S. A. Wells, of the Transport Department, saw a car driven by Gibbs cut in front of another car and go on to the wrong side of the road when making a turn into Carmen Road about 11.30 p.m. on September 30. The traffic officer stopped the vehicle driven by Gibbs iand after speaking to him arrested him on a charge of driving under the influence When the traffic officer’s attention was diverted Gibbs ran off and jumped over a gate into the premises of Hume Industries. About 15 minutes later the traffic officer found Gibbs hiding under a machine. When taken to the Central Police Station he was certified by a doctor as unfit to drive. BANKRUPTCY CHARGE William John Shaw, a workman. was remanded on bail to November 13 for sentence on a charge of obtaining credit to the value of $240.67 from John Burns and Company, Ltd without disclosing that he was an undischarged bankrupt. He pleaded guilty. Mr N. W. Williamson, who prosecuted, said Shaw went bankrupt for a second time on July 10. His debts were investigated because he had been declared bankrupt in Timaru on May 21, 1962. Shaw had obtained credit from John Burns and Company, Ltd, for an electric range and cement. The debt was incurred when he was setting up a new home in Christchurch.

In February, 1963, Shaw had been sentenced in Timaru to one month’s imprisonment by Mr N. M. Izard, S.M., on a similar charge, s-aid Mr Williamson. FINED 525 Benjamin David Armit, a builder, was fined $25 and was ordered to pay solicitor s fee of $6.30 on a charge that on June 15 he did electrical wiring work on a house at 16 Walsall Street. Riccarton, occupied by Douglas Tho-m-as Killick, when he was not a registered electrician. Armit did not appear.

The Court was told that a housewife had received a shock when she plugged ih «n electric juf at her home. It was found that a plug had been incorrectly connected. Armit, who owned the house, had admitted doing work on the plug. The neutral and phase conductors had been transposed and the result was that any appliance which was plugged in was partially alive even when the switch was turned off.

TWO CHARGES Eric Newcombe Truscott, a drainlayer, was fined a total of >2O and was ordered to pay solicitor’s fee of >6.30 on charges of covering up a drain he had laid without having it approved by the county engineer and of installing a drain without a permit from the county engineer. The charges were brought by the Paparua County Council. NO INCOME RETURN The following were fined for failing to furnish a return of income and were ordered to pay solicitor’s fee of >6.30 and Court costs of >3: Valentine Abraham Beaumont, >100; Carpet and Textiles, Ltd, >200; Christchurch Advances, Ltd, >25; Gene Gray, Ltd, 1100. UNREGISTERED DOG Barry D. Caldwell was fined >lO and J. McDonald, a married woman, of Prebbleton. was fined $l5 on charges of having an unregistered dog. They were each ordered to pay solicitor’s fee of >6.30. The prosecutions were brought by the Paparua County Council. FAILED TO CLOSE SHOP On a charge of failing to close their shops when non-exempted goods were displayed the following were fined.—Henrikus Spiertz, $10: Joan Bennett, $8; Harold Alfred Dawber, >l5; Raymond William Garrett, $3O; Sylvia O'Down, $10; Walter Edwin Paterson, $2O: Willdam Prebble, $8; Milton John Thomson, $2O: John Redding Treleaven, $B. NOXIOUS WEEDS PROSECUTION On a charge of failing to clear noxious weeds from land on Two Chain Road. Burnham, David Shelley Bennett was fined $2O and was ordered to pay solicitor’s fee of $6.30. NO RADIO LICENCE On a charge of being in possession of an unlicensed radio, Mako Setu was fined $4 and was ordered to pay solicitor’s fee of $6.30. (Before Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M.) GAMING-HOUSE CHARGE Anzena Lillian Frazer, aged 48, a cook (Mr D. H. Stringer), pleaded guilty to a charge that on September 23, being the occupier of a house at 30 Avonside Drive, she permitted the house to be used as a common gaming-house by John Reginald Hammond.

Sergeant V. F. Townshend said that early in September police had received information that a man named Hammond was using a telephone for bookmaking at the address. The vice squad had executed a warrant at the premises at 1.55 p.m. on September 23 and when arrested Hammond had taken bets for $BO5

Detectives had taken bets amounting to $BO from 10 of 13 callers in the following 15 minutes.

Mrs Frazer said when interviewed that Hammond had asked to use her telephone and she knew he was taking bets. Mr Stringer said there was no suggestion that Mrs Frazer was taking bets herself and shb was not the main offender Hammond had been find $3OO.

The Magistrate said if Mrs Frazer had not made the telephone available, then the offences would not have occurred, at least at her premises. Mrs Frazer was convicted and fined $5O. FORGERY The offence had been essentially a spontaneous and thoughtless pjeco of cortdudt, counsel for Andrew John Marsh, aged ,38>.« driver 'Mr G... IL Lakcelles), said when Marah appeared for sentence on charges that on September 15 he stole a cheque worth $37.30. the property of R. J Nicholson and forging on the cheque what was purported to be Nicholson’s signature Mr Lascelles said Marsh had picked up the cheque, added the signature and cashed it where he was known The Magistrate said the offence was plainly stupid and plainly Marsh would have been caught which led him to the view the offence had been spontaneous, though forgery was serious. Marsh was placed on probation for two years and on the forgery charge was fined $25 and ordered to pay restitution of $37.30 STOLE SUITCOAT Though he had been on probation for previous offences and had responded the accused had again shown a weakness for dishonestv and drink was no excuse for his actions, the Magistrate said of Ruakaka Rangi Moekau. aged 23. a linesman (Mr M J. Glue), when Moekau apneared for sentence on three charges. He would deal with the matter on the basis that Moekau’s state of intoxication had been very severe otherwise he would have gone straight to prison, said the Magistrate. On a charge of theft of a suitcoat valued at $4 and a cheque book, on September 23. the property of W. B. O’Neil, he was nlaced on probation for 18 months.

On charges that on September 23, he assaulted Detective J. P. Bermingham he was fined >75 and on a charge of wilfully damaging Detective Bermingham’s coat to the value of S2O hie was convicted and discharged and ordered to pay refttitution of >2O.

PROBATION The Magistrate when sentencing Allan Barton, aged 28, a machinist (Mr I. C. J. Polson), on four charges of indecently assaulting four young children said he would take into account the fact that Barton was not gifted in intelligence and had a considerable degree of deafness.

If Bgrton had not had those particular difficulties he would have been sent straight to prison but in the circumstances that would not have been correct. Barton was placed on probation for three years with conditions that he work and reside where directed and that he take psychiatric treatment as directed. CHANGE OF PLEA Allan Alexander Hamilton, aged 37, a scrap m£tal dealer (Mr M. G. L. Loughnan), initially pleaded not guilty to a charge that on July 28 he stole from Haj’.’s, Ltd. an overcoat valued at $31.95. After completion of the police evidence, Hamilton pleaded guilty. On that charge he was convicted and remanded on bail till October 19 for a probation officer’s report ans sentence. Bai) was allowed.

Hamilton also pleaded guilty to charges that at 12.40 p.m. and again at 1.40 p.m. on August 26 being an excluded person he entered the Addington Raceway while a race meeting was in progress. Those charges were adjourned to the same date for sentence. STOLE WATCH Frederick John Joseph McClure, aged 51, a storeman. pleaded guilty to a charge that on October 7 he stole a wristlet watch valued at $5O the property of Stuart Alexander White. He was convicted and fined $4O

Sergeant Townshend said McClure had visited some people at a boarding-house where he drank beer.

Sometime later he went to the toilet, saw the watch in the bathroom and took it. When interviewed he admitted taking the watch which he was wearing at the time, but said he meant to return it. DISQUALIFIED Keith Albert Churcher, aged 30, a driver (Mr G. R Lascelles) pleaded guilty to a charge that on September 28 he drove in Buckleys Road while under the influence of drink or a drug. He was convicted, fined $BO and disqualified for three years. OTHER PROSECUTIONS

In other prosecutions brought by the police, convictions were entered and penalties imposed as follows, with Court costs of $3 on each charge.

Exceeded 30 miles an hour: Rex Kingsford Harrington, $2O (exceeded 40 m.p.h. while towing a trailer, $10).

Careless use: Allan Graham Boese, $10: Robert Joseph Lynch. $2O; Brian James Withers. $2O, disqualified for three months.

Failed to produce licence for endorsement: Alan Leslie Giles.

Supplied liquor after hours, being a person who was not the licensee or manager: Catherine Alice Coffey. >lO.

Insufficient lights: Wayne Harrison Stark. >7.

Failed to give way: Geoffrey Paul Sumby. £5; disqualified for six weeks.

Purchased liquor after hours Norman Francis Hooper, $6.

(Before Mr E. A. Lee. S.M.)

TWO CHARGES Heml Hoepo. aged 25. a shearer, was lined S 6 on charges of not paying a taxi fare, and 130 for stealing a windbreaker jacket on August 20. Sergeant A. D. Stevenson said Hoepa went by taxi to a friend's house, but-did not have sufficient money to pay the fare. Hoepo went inside the house, which he had been given permisison to enter, and brought out the windbreaker jacket as security. The jacket was valued at $26. - He arranged for the fare of $2.25 to be paid at a later date, but this was not done, said Sergeant Stevenson. SUSPENDED SENTENCE

Norman Alan Hewinson, aged 20. a builder’s labourer, was ordered to appear for sentence within six months if called on when he was convicted on a charge of wilfully trespassing in a milk bar at 22 Main North Road on August 28. Hewinson pleaded not guilty. A further charge of using obscene language was dismissed. FINED $2O Dennis Murray; aged 28. a farm hand, was fined $2O and disqualified for a year and a half on a charge of carelessly using a motor vehicle. Murray, who pleaded not guilty was represented by Mr L. M. O'Reilly. Witnesses expenses were $24.70.

The charge arose out of a collision on the Main West Road on August 26. (Before Mr H. J. Evans. S.M.) DROVE AT DANGEROUS SPEED Peter William Marshall, aged 21 (Mr N. D. Thomson) was convicted and fined $3O and disqualified for a year when he appeared on a charge of driving at a speed that might have been dangerous on Ferry Road and Moorhouse Avenue on July 11. He pleaded not guilty.

CARELESS USE William Terence Rice, aged 22, a salesman (Mr N. W. Williamson) was convicted and fined $3O and disqualified for a year when he appeared on a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle in Colombo, Worcester, Barbadoes and Gloucester streets and Fitzgerald Avenue on July 22. He pleaded guilty. DROVE WHILE DISQUALIFIED Brent Frederick Aldridge, aged 20, a machine operator (Mr G. T. Mahon) was convicted and fined $5O and disqualified for another year when he appeared on a charge of driving while disqualified on October 5 In Pine Avenue. He pleaded guilty. On a further charge of careless use of , a motor, vehicle tn Pine Avenue on October 5 he was convicted and fined $lO. He pleaded guilty to that charge also.

Norman Edward Caldwell, aged 19, a carpenter’s apprentice (Mr L. G. Holder) was convicted and fined $6O and disqualified for a further year when he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while disqualified on Stanmore Road on September 22.

On a further charge of using an uniicenced motor vehicle on Stanmore Road on September 22 he was convicted and fined $lO. He pleaded guilty.