MAGISTRATE’S COURT Man Who Fired Rifle In House Fined Total Of $40

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31560, 23 December 1967, Page 19

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Man Who Fired Rifle In House Fined Total Of $40

The armed offenders squad broke a window to gain entry and a loaded .22 calibre rifle was lifted out of the window, said Detective Sergeant D. R. Porteous, when a man, whose name was suppressed, appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of discharging a firearm in a house and presenting a rifle at a woman on December 21.

The man, who was represented by Mr P. C. Straubel, pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined a total of $4O by Mr W. F. Brown, S.M. Detective Sergeant Porteous said that the defendant had been to a break-up party at his work and arrived home under the influence of alcohol. His wife had protested about his arriving home drunk, and he went into his bedroom and loaded six rounds into his rifle. He pointed the rifle at her and told her to get out and after she left she heard two shots.

The shots were fired into the ground and the defendant fell asleep on the floor of the bathroom before the police arrived. Mr Straubel said the defendant and his wife had lost an 11-week-old child recently and they had not yet recovered. He had drunk more than he should have at a Christmas party, which was understandable, and when he arrived home, the wife had criticised him too strenuously. On the day of the offence, a dog which the defendant was very fond of had been “put to sleep” without his being consulted. The two shots fired were shot deliberately into the ground to scare the wife. Mr Straubel asked the Magistrate to view the incident as isolated and without sinister connotations. Suppression of name was granted for the benefit of the wife, said the Magistrate. Forfeiture of the rifle was ordered. FINED AND DISQUALIFIED Walter Russo Healy, aged 41 a security guard, pleaded guilty to a charge that on December 21 in Hereford Street he drove while under the influence of drink or drug. He was fined 8100 and disqualified for three years Charles Edward Hunt, aged 56, a farmer (Mr W. A. Wilson>. pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while under the influence of drink or a drug on the No. 1 State Highway, near Leeston. on December 21. He was fined 880 and disqualified (or three years. SLAPPED WIFE The defendant had been provoked when his wife arrived home late on December 21 and

would not answer any of his questions, said Detective Sergeant Porteous when Peter John Donald, aged 35, a drainlayer’s assistant, pleaded guilty to assaulting Heather Donald

Donald grabbed the complainant by the hair and banged her against the kitchen door, twisted her arm and pushed her outside, said Detective Sergeant Porteous.

When the complainant threatened to call the police, he slapped her The complainant had suffered bruising. Donald was fined 815. FINED 8150

Bruce Raymond Craig, aged 17. a pipe-layer (Mr M J. Glue), had completely flouted orders of the Court, the Magistrate said when he fined Craig 8150 and disqualified him from driving for a further two years when he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while disqualified at Lyttelton on December 21 "If you were not under 21 I would not hesitate. You would go to prison,” the Magistrate said

Detective Sergeant Porteous said the defendant was convicted of driving while disqualified at Lyttelton on Wednesday, and was apprehended while driving again the next day.

The Magistrate said the defendant had already been to a detention centre. He would now have to learn the hard way. The additional disqualification meant the defendant could not drive again until January. 1972 He was also placed on probation pending payment of the fine.

UNDER INFLUENCE OF DRINK On a charge of driving on Colombo Street on December 21 while under the influence of drink or drugs. Stewart Owen Carter, aged 19. an apprentice fitter, was convicted and fined 880, and disqualified from driv ing for three vears. He pleaded guilty. Detective Sergeant Porteous said the defendant was seen driving in an erratic manner about 8.30 p.m. He was later certified by a doctor as unfit to drive. The Magistrate said the case was a bad one of its kind. The defendant must have known he should not have been driving. ADJOURNED

The imposition of penalty on a man, whose name was sup-

pressed, who appeared on a charge of disorderly behaviour was adjourned to March 22. He pleaded guilty to the offence, and was represented by Mr C. B. Atkinson. The Magistrate said he adjourned the hearing with a view to discharging the defendant under the Criminal Justice Act on that date, provided he paid 820 towards the costs of prosecution and obtained psychiatric treatment in the meantime.

Detective Sergeant Porteous said the defendant was seen to walk in and out of the women's dressing shed on Marine Parade at North Beach and then drive to Waimairi Beach where he did the same thing. The defendant told the police there were no women in the sheds, and he did not know why he entered them. Mr Atkinson said a psychiatric examination of the defendant showed some evidence of mental disturbance. There was also a history of mental disturbance in the family. THEFT David Rozental, aged 65, a cleaner, pleaded guilty to a charge that on December 21 he stole from Woolworths (N.Z ), Ltd, New Brighton, four pairs of nylon stockings of a total value of 82.72. He was fined $l5 and by consent ordered to take out a prohibition order for 12 months. DRUNK Lameta Taotua, aged 24. a freezing worker, pleaded guilty by letter to a charge that on December 1 he was drunk m Blenheim Road and admitted previous convictions for drunkenness on November 1 and December 4. He was fined 88. in default four days imprisonment. Hugh Ferguson, aged 29. an unemployed seaman, pleaded guilty to a charge that on December 21. he was drunk in Moorhouse Avenue, and admitted previous convictions for drunkenness on July 27. November 24 and December 18 He was fined 810 in default two days imprisonment. He was also ordered to take out a prohibition order for 12 months. TRAFFIC OFFENCES

For failing to comply with traffic lights Roland John Cotter was fined 815, and for exceeding 30 m.p.h. he was also fined 815.