MAGISTRATE’S COURT Periodic Detention Ordered For Man Who Slashed Girls’ Coats

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31740, 25 July 1968, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Periodic Detention Ordered For Man Who Slashed Girls’ Coats

A young man Whb last week was convicted on four charges of wilful damage involving slashing girls* raincoats with a razor- blade yesterday pleaded guilty to eight more charges of a similar nature and was sentenced on all 12 charges by Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court

Robert Henry Thomas, aged 24, a labourer, was ordered to attend the periodic detention centre for six months, was placed on probation for one year, ordered to take psychiatric or medical treatment as directed, and to make restitution of $l9O. Detective Sergeant R. G. McMeeking said all the coats were damaged beyond repair and restitution of the full value of the coats was asked for—sl9o. Most of the offences, which occurred between July 12 and July 15, involved Thomas brushing against girls in Cathedral Square or Colombo Street and slashing the backs of their coats. In every case the damage was not discovered by the girls until they reached their homes. Several of the girls were waiting at bus stops and others were walking on the footpath when Thomas bumped into them. In some cases he tried to engage them in conversation. None of the girls was injured. “Quite obviously when you behave in this way there is some sort of psychological confusion, possibly with a sexual tendency,” said the Magistrate. He said psychological, medical and probation reports had been obtained which showed that Thomas was not certifiable but he needed some treatment.

It was a disturbing and upsetting thing to happen to girls but the reports showed that periodic detention would be a suitable penalty in spite of the number of offences, said the Magistrate. The number of coats Thomas had slashed without injuring the girls indicated that he had taken some care not to cause injury. FINED M 0 Maxwell Carlton Carney, aged 33, a painter, was fined a total of 360 and was ordered to pay witnesses' expenses of 330 and Court costs of SlO on cbarges of receiving a wheelbarrow valued at 310, the property of Sandridge Hotel, Ltd, and a tricycle valued at 310, the property of Colin John Taylor, when he knew they had been dishonestly obtained. Carney pleaded not guilty and was represented by Mr R. J. Allan. A charge against Carney of wilfully obstructing Constable J. Cartmell in the execution of his duty, was dismissed. He pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that the articles were stolen by another person from the Sandridge Hotel on the evening of May 31, and were later found at Carney’s home. The Magistrate paid a tribute to Desmond Charles Packman, a foreman cerpenter, who gave evidence for the prosecution, for acting as a very proper citizen in reporting a man seen acting suspiciously in a shed at the hotel and for taking the number of a truck. ATTEMPTED FALSE PRETENCES Malcolm John Port, aged 20, a labourer, was remanded in custody until today for sentence on charges that on July 23 with intent to defraud he attempted to obtain goods valued at 324.38 from Hay's, Ltd, by falsely representing that he was A. D. Holden of 2 Fitzgerald Avenue, and that with intent to defraud he attempted to obtain goods worth 34.74 from Hay’s, Ltd, by falsely representing that he was D. H. Ditford. of 83 Prestons Road.

Sergeant J. P. Downes said that Port made two attempts to obtain goods from Hay's, Ltd. by representing himself as another person. He was refused credit after a check was made. The police were called and Port said that he wanted the articles as he was short of money.

SAFE ROLLED DOWN STAIRS Lyall Robert Lewis, aged 31, unemployed, was remanded in custody to July 31 tor sentence on a charge of breaking and entering Croydon Motors, Ltd, 285 Cashel Street, about June 28. He pleaded guilty and was represented by Mr W. A. Wilson. Sergeant Downes said that on the night of June 27 the premises of Croydon Motors, Ltd, were broken into by smashing a pane of glass in a rear window. The office safe was carried from the first floor and then rolled down the stairs Causing damage amounting to 3200. The safe was carried to a rear door and then abandoned without any attempt being made to force it open. Car tyres, radios and tools valued at 3965 were stolen from the premises. ' 1 '

On th. following morning the Fiolice recovered 33*8 worth of he itolen article, from a nearby hou.e. Lewi. wa. Been in the early hour, of June 28 by the police in the hou.e whore the property wa. recovered. He denied being re.poneible for the offence and refund to dinlon where the rest of the property, valued at 3587, wae. Ho had previous conviction., Sergeant Downe. .aid.

THEFTS FROM SHOPS , Michael Looter, aged 19, Unemployed, waa remanded on ball to July 31 for untence on chargee of atealing a pair of underpanta valued at 81.12 and a pair of trounro valued at 37.95, the property of Vance Vivian, Ltd, and a ehlrt valued at 35, the property of His Lordahipa Bazaar, Ltd. He pleaded guilty to the three chargea. Sergeant Downe. said about 1.15 p.m. on Tuesday a detective was walking along Manchester Street when he noticed two youths and a girl acting suspiciously near a shop. One of them went into the shop and came out with a paper bag In which clothing was put. The three persons were taken to the C. 1.8. office.

Lester told the police that he had been walking about city shops with hl. girl friend and a youth. He had stolen the clothing which he had given to his girl friend, and she had placed it In her shopping bag. All the clothing had been recovered. said Sergeant Downer

CHARGE DISMISSED A charge against John Alexander Milne, a veterinarian, of falling to give way to the right at the intersection of Blccarton Road and Deans Avenue on March 23 was dismissed. Mr K. N. Hampton, who appeared for the defendant, entered a plea of not guilty. TRAFFIC CHARGES In traffic prosecutions brought by the police, convlctions were entered and fines imposed as follows, with court costs, 35, on each charge:— Failed to give way to ths right: Louis Pritchard, 315; Richard Martin Thurlow, 35. (Before Mr P. L. Mollneaux, S.M.) SENTENCED TO BORSTAL A 17-year-old youth who bad previously pleaded guilty to six charges of unlawfully taking motor-cars, two charges of attempted unlawful taking of motor-cars, a charge of theft and five charges of burglary, was sentenced to Borstal train-

ing. "The multiplicity of charges, together with the serious nature of them, leads mete believe that something more than three months in s detention centre would be the most appropriate form of sentence,” the Magistrate told Lindsay Chappell, unemployed. who was not represented. The offences all took place between June 24 and July 11. most of them on two nights, and unlawfully taken cars were used in the burglaries, some of which were committed tn Rangiora. "This is not the first time you have appeared before the court. You have been Convicted of theft, burglarv and unlawtally interfering with a motor graddr on previous occasions, as well as of traffic charges including driving while disqualified,” the Magistrate said.

Sergeant Downes said that restitution amounted to 8388.87, including 330 for damage done to one of the cars and that a number of items, including a transistor radio, sunglasses and a sheepskin rug, had been taken from some of the cars. AU the cars had been abandoned. THREE MONTHS GAOL

"You have maintained a continuous and flagrant defiance towards orders of the court. There can be no question as to a term of imprisonment," the Magistrate said when he sentenced Alan Terence Walsh, aged 24, a sbeet metal worker (Mr K. N. Hampton), to three months imprisonment on a charge of driving while disqualified. The conviction, for driving a motor-cycle in Cathedral Square on June 28, was Walsh's eighth for driving while disqualified. The last was in July last year when he was sentenced to six months imprisonment. Mr Hampton said. "Walsh cannot keep away from motor vehicles and motor vehicles have played a part in all his offences. He has been sentenced to the maximum period of Imprisonment for this charge on at least two previous occasions," he said. Walsh had been placed on probation for a year last week on two quite serious criminal charges. Mr Hampton said. A period of 12 months probation for Walsh was ordered to follow the prison sentence and the period of disqualification was extended a further year. Walsh was now disqualified froin driving until December. 1975, the Magistrate said.

On a further charge of obstructing a traffic officer arising from the same circumstances, Walsh was fined 350. He had previously pleaded guilty to both charges. (Before Mr K. H. J. Headifeii. S.M.) TRAFFIC CHARGES In traffic prosecutions brought by the Transport Department, convictions were entered and penalties imposed as follows, with court costs, 35, on each charge. Drove in a dangerous manner: Derek Mayo Carr, 325, disqualified from driving for two years (exceeded 55 miles an hour,

810; Insufficient lights, 35: worn tyres. 85). Careless uM ef a motorvehicle: Weston Errol Rern•te|n, *3O, disqualified from driving for six months; Cqlln James McKay, 825: Bruce Maxwell Wyatt, 310. Exceeded 55 miles an hour: Reger Frederick Jamee. 315; Alison Christine Bush, 820; John WeM r ‘*ifl **!? Exceeded 30 Allee an hoar: Donald Stephen Gentlman, 810; »TSLtM» & Sydney Keith Boese. 812; Bruce Henry Everest, 810 (failed to produce driver’s licence, 810); Allan Hedley Tempero, 825; Arthur lan Creedon. 325: Benjamin Paul England, 320; Monte Moetani Nui, 318, Harry Allan Bodell, *l5; Garry Raymond Burke, 314; Owen Arthur Murphy, 315; Peter Dennis Smith, *25; Robert Amal, *25; Ronald Stanley Cusack, *2O; Robin John Kerr. *10; Desmond Morrison, *25; Felix Edward Newfield, (25; Michael Desmond Overend, *2O; David Allan Scott, 325; Richard Rudolph Sedler, 310; Gavin Thomas, 325; Kerry Thomas Wlldermoth, 330: Miles John Eastorbrook, 325; Geoffrey Malcolm Gray, (30; Ronald Trevor Hall, *l2. Drove while disqualified: Harry Murphy, *3O, disqualified from driving for one year. Exceeded 40 miles an hour with trailer: David John Mlles, (20: Roger Pole Dennis, 325. Failed to stop at a compulsory stop: Robert Alan Hill, 325; David William Elston, *10; Robert John Mouat Hay, *10; Tyrrell John TurtllL 815; Rex Leo Harris, *3O; Roger Klngwell Malcolm, *3O; James Bailie Millar. (U. Failed to comply with traffic lights: Archibald James Brockie, *2O. Overloaded motor-eycle: Alan George Harris, (8. Carried pillion passenger while balder of provisional licence: Brenda Elizabeth Levien, *B. Insufficient lights: George David Alfred Hawker, (30; Eric Gordon Risdon, (8; Lyall Lambert Darcey, *25; John Patrick Ross, 320; Anthony Noel Hardingham, *8; Bernard Joseph Norton, 120.

No rear brake on cycle: Brian Leslie Wendt, 35 (no front light, 32). Failed to display L label; Heta Wairau, 312; Lindsay George Burnlp, *8; Peter Edgar Wood. (12; Gordon Bruce. 112; John Alistair Cameron, (12: Graham Norman Currie. (8.

Failed to produce driver's licence: Ronald Thomas James Hoare, *lO (no warrant of fitness. •«>; Russell Kirk. (10; John Patrick Archibald, *lO (no warrant of fitness, *8); Ben Ching, (10 (no warrant of fitness, 38); lan Hugh McKenzie, (1* (no warrant of fitness, (8). Wrong class of driver’s licence: Reginald Mark Moorhouse, (10. No driver'e licence; David Andrew Pope, (15. No certificate of fitness: J. Butcher, Ltd (twe charges), *lO on each charge. No warrant of fitness: Brian Wayne Hooper, 38: John Grant, (8: Merrilyn Gaynor Brown, *6. Defective steering: Matthew Andrew Sutherland, (15, ordered to attend * course of traffic lectures. Worn or damaged tyre: Michael Douglas Beaudon, (10. Exceeded heavy traffic licence: James Stuart Allan, (20; W. O. Judd and Sons, *lO (exceeded axle weight, *10); C. Williams And Son, Ltd, (10 (exceeded axle weight (two chargee), (8 on each); Cornelius Pieter Vanderende, *l2; G. F.

Holmes, Ltd, 112 (exceeded axle weight. *12); Vlbrapae Blocks, Ltd. (15. Exceeded axle weight: Selwyn Transport, Ltd, *l5; Griffin Brothers, Ltd (two chargee), >l2 on each charge; Ryan Brothers, Ltd, *l5; Rhlnd Transport, Ltd, *B. Parking offences: John Francis.Borgman, 38.