MAGISTRATE’S COURT Man Stayed At Six Christchurch Hotels Without Paying Bill

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31580, 18 January 1968, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Man Stayed At Six Christchurch Hotels Without Paying Bill

A 31-year-old unemployed man admitted in the Magistrate’* Court yesterday that for almost 12 weeks, until arrested on January 9, he had stayed at six hotels in Christchurch without paying—moving from one hotel to another —end thus accumulated $507 credit by fraud. The accused, Francis Collin Stevens, was said to have told the police that he had expected to be detected, and could not understand how he had got away with it for so long. Stevens pleaded guilty to six charges that in incurring debts for hotel board and lodging he obtained credit by fraud, and was remanded, in custody, to January 24 by Mr K H. J. Headifen, S.M., for sentence. The hotels at which Stevens stayed in Christchurch were the Clarendon (for 10 days), the New Railway (13 days), Cokers (21 days), the Dominion (10 days), the Zetland (13 days) and Warner’s (13 days). Stevens saw in the New Year at the last hotel, where he was arrested on January 9, owing $75.75 for accommodation. His unpaid bill for his initial 10-day stay at the Clarendon, patronised in recent years by Royalty, was $lOB (including toll calls), while during his three-week stay at Cokers Hotel he accumulated a debt of $185.56.

Stevens, according to the police statement, variously styled himself “Andrews," “Anderson,” “Adams,” or “O’Brien.” He began as “Andrews’ at the Clarendon Hotel, At Cokers Hotel, between November 11 and December 4, he was "Anderson,” posing as a reporter of the “Sunday Times” and “Dominion” newspapers, down in Christchurch to cover the hearing of a murder charge. At other times, Stevens posed as an employee of the regional engineer’s office of the Post Office, and when finally apprehended at Warner’s Hotel was going under the guise of "Adams,” an announcer of Radio 3ZB. A check by the hotel manager as to thia identity; after his complaint that “Adams’s” bill was unpaid, led to Stevens being unmasked. Senior-Sergeant J. M. Phelan said that Stevens had admitted his intention of committing a burglary on leaving Warner's Hotel, and travelling to Australia on the proceeds. REMANDED A man whose name was suppressed was remanded on bail to February 1 for the taking of depositions on charges of attempted rape and causing previous bodily harm. Mr B. G. Blunt, who appeared tor the man, applied for bail. The police did not oppose ball. THEFT CHARGE DISMISSED A plea of not guilty by Peter John Somers, aged 44, a rubber worker (Mr J. S. Bisphan), on a charge of theft of letters on December 17, brought under the Post Office Act, was upheld by the Magistrate, and the charge dismissed. Somers's defence, given in evidence, was that he had become “highly Intoxicated” after attending his flrm's Christmas party on December 16, through whisky having been poured into his beer, and could not therefore explain how 15 letters, from a post-box in Colombo Street, were found in bls possession when the police accosted him in Tuam Street in the early hours of December IT. Placing his character in

issue, Somers said that he had no criminal convictions, and was shocked to find himself in trouble with the law. The Magistrate said that on the whole of the evidence he would not hold, as submitted by the defence, that Somers had been so drunk that he was incapable of forming an intention to steal. But there was no evidence of how the letters, proved to have been posted in a street box. came into Somers' possession, and no evidence that he had tampered with them in any way. There was thus a gap in the prosecution evidence, said the Magistrate, failing to show that Somers had the intention to deprive the Post Office permanently of the letters—and the law therefore demanded his acquittal, "but on that ground, and that ground alone." CAR CONVERSION

Kevin Desmond Tyson, aged 24, a painter, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawfully taking a car valued at 21400, the propetry ot Keith Whittaker, and driving the car while he was a disqualified driver in Beresford Street, New Brighton, on January 16. He was remanded on bail to January 23 for a probation officer’s report and sentence.

Senior-Sergeant E. S. Tuck said the police saw Tyson pull into a service station to have a tyro changed. He appeared drunk. Tyson said the car was not his own, but he was having the tyre changed for a friend. At the same time, the owner of the car, who had left it in Beresford Street one hour earlier, passed the 1 service station on his way to notify the police that it. had been stolen, saw the car, and told the police that Tyson had no right to use it. Senior-Sergeant Tuck said the tyre was ruined and several hubcaps were missing. Panelling on one side of the car was damaged. The estimated damage was 1110. IDLE AND DISORDERLY Eric Raymond Lidgett, aged 41, unemployed, was fined 010 on a charge of being idle and disorderly in the Papanul Police Station on January 16. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Lidgett asked the Magistrate if he could be sent to Sunnyside Hospital as a voluntary boarder. "I am having a bad time with the drink, and work is not easy to get,” he said. "It is not hard either, the Magistrate replied. ASSAULT Warren Gregory Rocbford, aged IT (Mr J. F. Burn), was fined >4O when he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault on Thomas Edmond Smith at Hornby on October 20. Senior-Sergeant Phelan said Rochford was at a party and a fight developed at a car parked outside. Rochford rushed outside and struck one of the persons on the face twice with his closed fists. NAMES SUPPRESSED A 30-year-old woman whose name was suppressed, was fined a total of ISO when she pleaded fruilty to three charges of shop, ifting committed between October and November last year. On a charge of theft of two cardigans valued at 816.93 she was fined >2O; for theft of a girdle and two pairs of briefs she was fined >7.38, and for theft of a nightdress valued at ».95 she was fined >lO. Her counsel, Mr G. T. Mahon, said that although the offences had been split into three separate charges they had all occurred on the one day. A 4S-yoar-old housewife (Mr J. R. Fox) was fined 120 and her name was suppressed when she pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing coffee and toothpaste valued at >1.13 on December 1. TRAFFIC PROSECUTIONS In traffic prosecutions brought by the police, convictions were entered and fines imposed as follows, with court costs of >3 additional on each charge;— Careless driving: David John Kirk, >25; Alan Edmond Pruden, 18; Donald Allan Thurlow. >l5.

Failed to give way to the right: Paul Brett Sanderson, 315; Elaine Patricia Feltham. >4 (disqualified for three months). Proceeded from stop sign when way not clear; Charles Edward Smith, >B.

No driver's licence: Terence Andrew Harper. >25, disqualified for six months. No warrant of fitness: lan Parkes Gordon; S 3. LIQUOR OFFENCES Minor purchased liquor: Lynn Derris Beer, >8 (possessed liquor intended for consumption in a public place, >10>; Kevin Joseph Driscoll, >l6 (possessed liquor in a public place intended for consumption, >10). Minor found In public bar: Suzanne Mary Theresa Davis, >l6 (gave false information, >10). Minor drinking in a public place: Brian William Griffin, >lO. TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CHARGES In prosecutions brought by the Transport Department, convictions were entered and fines Imposed as follows, with court costs of 15 additional on each charge: Careless driving: Trevor David Powell, >2O; Roger Robert Preece, >2O. Exceeding 30 miles an hour: Mary Madeline Baker, >l2; Harold Raymond Bodger, >l4; Andrew Geoffrey Rivers Comerford, >10; Richard John Feeney, 3:8; Arthur Hamblin, >l4; Denis Robert Hancock, >10; Robert John Hooker, >l2; James Lackie, 614; Michael William Joseph Lambie. >2O; William John Leary, >lst John Alistair MeClymont, >10; Edward Alva Obery, >18; James Douglas McI.een Reid. >l5; George William Snelling, >10; Desmond Frank Thomas Thompson, >25; Robert Warwick Tudhope, 312; David l enry Wells, >10; Simon Ross White, >18; Roger Anthony Williams, >lO. David Harold Bennett. >l5; Ronald Harry Brogden, >2O; Roger Frank Carson, >10; Allan Frederick Heatlie, >25; Colin John Milne. >l5; William Albert Murdoch, >2O; Geoffrey Alexander Simpson. >2O; Keith William Shadwell, >l2; Graham Douglas Skilling, >l2. Exceeding 58 miles an hour: Alan Royce Edwards; >3O; Barry Peter Whelan. >3O. Exceeding 30 milee an hour without safety helmet: Terry Hood, >l5; Roy James Pont. >10; Trevor John Dawson, >lO. Exceeding 40 miles an hour with trailer: Bruce McUvride Shearer. >l5.

Failed to observe slop sign: Alistair John Barrett, >10; Alistair Candlish, >l2; Gavin Harold Critoph, >8; lan Crooks, >5; John Robert Davison, 320; Colin Barry Edgeworth, 39; Sylvia Jessie Metcalfe, 310; Bose Colin Nicholson, >10; Maurice Joseph Shearman, >8; Collin St Clair Sinclair, >l2; Lyall Alistair Walker, HO.

Kenneth Albert Cosgrove, >l5; Laurence Allister Croft, >l5; Vaughan Stewart Paul, >10; Jeanette Katherine York, >lO (no driver's licence, >10). Failing to keep left: Mita Mohl, 315. Crossed against traffic lights: Allison Valerio Grlparis, >l5. Cutting corner: Stanley William Barton, >2O, Using unlicensed vehicle: Nigel John Dermot Neill, >lO (insufficient lights, >10). Permitted use of unlicensed motor-vehicle: John Robert Bainbridge, >lO (no warrant of fitness, >6). No driver's licence: Seru Bullruarua, >lO (tailed to give way, >18); Ivan French, >10; Veil Meredith, >l3 (no warrant of fitness, >2). No heavy traffic licence; Eric Newcombe Truseott, >lO. Failing te produce driver’s licence: Roger Robert Preece, : HO; Wally Atkins, >10; Robert John Haywood, >lO (no warrant of fitness, »). Carrying pillion passenger on provisional licence; Bruce Robert Coker, 64. Mechanically detective vehicle: John David Knight. >35, Defective brakes: Andrew Hugh Cunningham, >l5 (second Charge, .315). Insufficient lights: Leslie John Marsden, 310; Richard Alfred Birch, 310 (no warant of fitness, 34); Athol Knight, 310. No footrest) on motor-cycle; John Howard Kennedy, 38. No warrant of fitness: Brian Daniel Kennelly. 86; Barry Arthur Lister, 88. Unlighted bicycle: Darrell william Davies, 32; David John Postlewaite, 34 (no tat! light, >4): Patrick Scott, 34. (Before Mr P. l. Molineaux. S.M.) TRANSPORT CHARGES Prosecution) brought by the Transport Department with convictions entered (Court eosts >5 on each charge) were:— Drove in manner which might have been dangerous: Bernard Francis Kay, MO and disqualified for a year; David William Raymond Murphy, M 0 and disqualified tar a year. Exceeded 30 m p.h.t Peter Robert Knight, 820; Robert Hardy, 818; George Herbert Humphries. >l2: Frank Millward, >l4; Freeman John Rhodes, costs only; Brian Melvin Knuckey. H 4; Paul Chowlee, >10: Patrick Rua Morrell, >3O; Aprllla Margaret Hanford, HO; Erie Frederick Gorman, >l3: Leslie Michael Ross, H>; Graeme Leslie Jones, 810; Aitator William Taylor, >l4 and disqualified tar a month; Grant Stuart Watson, M; Anthony James Foster, Hi (no driver’s licence, »); Grant Maxwell Hado. UO; Grant Richard Beilers, >10: lan George Bailey, ll<; Lesl e John Bayliss, >10; Phillip William Carey. 314; Allan Prone!* Foster, >10; Wayne Allan Kirk. HO; Stuart McDonald, 310; Noel David Penney, >l3; Raymond Kenneth Paweey. >3O (exceeded so m.p.h., M); Steven Sergio Searle. >l2; John

Desmond Taylor, >l4: Laura lane Allott, 312; Russell Brian Bates, 310; Thomas Frederick Black, >10; David Alleyne Bosworth. >10; Cherle Merlene Buckner, 312; Kevin James Conyers, >24; Peter Wayne Pearce, 312; Wesley John Chrlsp, >10; Garence Wholfol Nicholls, >lO (failed to supply information, >12); Gerald Leslie Pierce, >10: John Anthony Peck. 318; Barry Sugrue, 310; Trevor Alan Thompson, 320; Mary Ida Clifford, >10; John Ross Jacobson, >10; James Perham, >10; Albert Ernest Williams, >l2; Frederick George Amos, >10; Geoffrey Charles Barr, >10; John Bingham. 310; Hugh James Carrington, >22; Peter Chapman, >lO (no warrant of fitness, 32); John Barry Craig, >10; Garry Richard Gibbons, >l2; william Henry Grace, >l4; Thomas Nicholas Gudsell. 320; Anthony William Harris’ 310; Basil Eric Hoar, >10; Athol Stanley Johnson, >l2; Colleen Doris Reeves, >l4; Martyn James Robinson, >24; William Howard Simpson, >l2; Barry John WaiJ";.* 12 ; Trevor John Ward, 312; William Noel Ward, >10; Cyril Victor Brown, >10; Neville Ross ?J 0: l r ‘! n Alexander ‘’J 1 ? 1 Rlc hard Bennett, 310: Peter Albin Copp, >l4: lan Carmichael, >10; Farland Charles Douglas, >10: Duncan Stewart WA»ri son ’ «? 12 ’ Ma,, tyn Henry, Hoalden, 310; Wayne Maurice Johnson, *10: Russell. Harold KitaStaiir p a>*l>»e Martha il'iPj Terrence John rS; jr? nc *’ Valentine MeClimant. >l4; Bruce Francis «n or *l *?•?’ J<,hn Douglas Pryor, >10; Anthony Denis Bing, HOJ ?s e lXS,J ,o,>el Severn, HO; Ger- ?*?< Stringer. Sig- Paul Woga'n, Lind “ y Ne‘l Careless driving: Brian AnmS n ?»» B VI* rt ’ *** ,nd SisquallP ed *°r three months; Paul Acland Thomson, >l2; Graeme Boy f.a Rlckerby, >2O and disqualified for three months; Nell !?•: Neil Victor Hill, >2O, and disqualified for Oc r k e .* n de m n on H h o. ; El “* b “ h WeWlhaS. d "" S. nn £ r ?’, David Allan ?J? d 'Patrick Raymond Law, >18; Elizabeth Anne Lee, 820; Geoffrey Victor Uprlchard, 014; Bruce John Williams, 018; John fe l ° 3 I d «u H 1 l i * r j!’ * 10: Lawrence Noel Short, 810. >•**« Ashley McClure, 814 (noisy motor vehicle, 812); Cecil Shaw Alexander, 810.

Exceeded 45 m.p.h. with pillion passenger: Brian McGregor Massey, 814; George McLean Griffiths. >2O. Exceeded 40 m.p.h. with trailer: Brent Hawes, 88; Thomas John Sanders, 36. Failed to stop at stop sign: Barry Leslie Evans, HO (passed on Intersection, 312): Cornelius van Kastaren, HO: Robert Arthur McLoughlin, 313; Leslie John Salton, 310; Glen Russell Clare, 310; Gordon Reid, HO; Alan James Reuben Rowlands, >10; Grant Ernest Taylor, >10; Kayleen Annette Woodgate, >lO. Disregarded traffic lights: Graham John Bates. 013; Brian William O'Malley, >l3; David Julius Musgrave. H 3; Noel Alexander Walker, >l2.

Proceeded before way was clear: John Bernard Elliott, w. Failed to display “L” plate; Bryan Malcolm Gartrel. >6; Stanley Ronald Sheehan, >6.

Failed te step tn clear distance ahead: Gary Ernest Gerrard, >l4.

Inconsiderate stopping: Alan James McMurtrie. 36.

Insufficient lights: lan Lalta Campbell, >10: Trevor Alan Thompson, >8; Kevin Edgar Dunstan, 310. Insecure trailer: Frazer John Barton, 38. Noisy motor vehicle: Roy Alexander King. 314. Attempted to pass In nopassing area: Helen Bridget Pauletich, 120 and disqualified for three months.

No light on bicycle: Maurice Roland Smith. 34. No driver's licence: Gordon Henry Sprott, >l5 and disqualified for three months; Stratford Alexander Hubbard, >lO. Failed to produce licence: Michael George Anthony, 310; William John Telford, >6: Philip Ronald George Money. HO. Employed unlicensed driver: Walter Francis Blowers, >8 (heavy traffic licence not carried, >8). Permitted unlicensed person to drive: Nell Edward Clark, 86: James Frederick Joseph Sadler, 86.

Used unlicensed motor vehicle: Bruce Edward Noble,

Permitted use of unlicensed motor vehicle: William Leatham, 810; Luka Ushlvkov, costs only xno warrant of fitness, costs only) and ordered to attend traffic lectures. Wrong class ot driver's licence: Francis Leonard Karatau, 812 (unlicensed motor vehicle, 310); Linda Prebble, >l2. No warrant of fitnese: Russell Paul Richardson, 32 (unlicensed motor vehicle, >15); Milton Halligan. >2; Peter de Vries, 32 (permitted use of unlicensed motor vehicle, >6); Robert John McLellan, costa only (unlicensed motor vehicle. >8); Loretta Diane Johnson, 82 (tailed to produce licence, 88); Lawrence Mitchell, 82; James Campbell Wilson, 32; Richard Henry Hooper, 32; Rodney Shearer, 34 (unregistered motor vehicle. 38): Kevin Murray Hobson, dismissed (tailed to display “L” plate, dismissed, defective foot bake, dismissed); Trevor Hugh Cameron, 38 (defective hand brake, 88); Charles Alfred Ownsworth, 32 (unlicensed motor vehicle, >lO, affixed unauthorised registration plate. 312); Roger David Powell. >2 (exceeded 30 m.p.h., >14); Stewart David Smith, >2 (no w.o.f. on trailer, >4). Exceeded axle weight: A.K. Transport, Ltd. 810; Lyttles Transport. Ltd, 88; Barrs Motors, 88; (exceeded heavy traffic licence, 88); Edward Arthur Spence, 88; Stevenson’s Motors, Ltd, 810; Dick Campbell, 88: Mitchell Brothers, Ltd, 36 (exceeded heavy traffic licence, 38); Rhind Transport, Ltd, 88 (exceeded heavy traffic licence, »); Ryan Brothers, two charges, 816; Vlbrapac Blocks. Ltd, 88. Exceeded heavy traffic licence: Port Carriere, Ltd, 814; lan Randall, 810. Noisy motor vehicle: Michael Rodney do Fillippi, >l2. Defective steering: Rupert Colin Armstrong. 88. Cut corner: David Boas Rough, 810. Parking offence: Shible Ellas L. Hassle, 36.