MAGISTRATE’S COURT Four Prisoners Remanded For Sentence On Escaping Charge

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31774, 3 September 1968, Page 11

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Four Prisoners Remanded For Sentence On Escaping Charge

Excitement of the chase, hope of getting on an overseas vessel at Bluff, proving a point and a belief that Paparua Prison was run like a kindergarten were among the reasons given for their escape by four prisoners who appeared before Mr P. L. Mollneaux S.M- in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Sergeant J. P. Downes, the police prosecutor, said the men planned to live in the bush as long as possible and make their way south along the foothills of the Southern Alps with the aid of a South Island map stolen from the prison library. Their confidence and hope receded with the onset of exhaustion, and two were making their way back to the prison to obtain food when they were recaptured.

The men, Gary Trevor Gerbes, aged 23, a drainlayer, Kenneth Shane Stevens, aged 22, a carpenter. Ross Camp bell, aged 22, a hairdresser, and Karl Kreowsky, aged 27, a plasterer’s labourer, each pleaded guilty to charges of escaping from Paparua Prison on August 30, and unlawfully taking a truck the property of the Justice Department from the prison on the same date. They were remanded in custody until September 9 for sentence.

Sergeant Downes said the men were among a group of other prisoners cutting fire wood at 8.45 a.m. in the prison grounds near the entrance gate. A prisoner who had been driving the truck left it unattended with the keys in while he went to the lavatory, and the four defendants jumped in and drove off at speed. The police were alerted at 9.11 a.m., and the truck was found abandoned in the Ash. ley Gorge Domain at 10 a.m A Lees Valley farmer realised who the men were when they approached him for food at 9 a.m. the next day. He persuaded Gerbes and Stevens to wait until the police arrived. The other two left, said Sergeant Downes. Gerbes admitted to the police he had planned the escape. They intended to re main in the bush as long as possible and until ‘‘the heat was off” while they made their way south along the Alps They knew they would be caught in the end, but they enjoyed the excitement Stevens said they were exhausted and had little hope left of continuing with the plan, said Sergeant Downes. At 8.15 a.m. yesterday a Loburn farmer saw Kreowsky and Campbell on his property and notified the police who recaptured them soon after. Campbell said the escape was planned on Thursday. They hoped to live in the bush and make their way to Bluff, then leave the country. They were returning to the prison for food and because it was the last place the police were likely to look for them, said Sergeant Downes. Kreowsky said he had taken a South Island map from the prison library. He decided to escape to prove his point after a prison officer had told him he would not be away for long or get far before recapture if he attempted to escape. He considered the prison was run like a kindergarten, and he hoped to hide in the bush as long as possible be fore giving himself up. Sergeant Downes said the defendants were all serving terms of imprisonment for offences including burglary. Kreowsky was to be deported to West Germany at the end of his sentence.

The Magistrate said he considered it an appropriate opportunity for him to commend the police on their efficiency and promptitude in apprehen ding the absconders.

18 MONTHS PRISON A term of 18 months Imprisonment was Imposed on Peter Kaimoana, aged 29, a carpenter <Mr R. J. Allan), on a charge of burglary at Ranglora on August 1. He had earlier been convicted and remanded for sentence on the charge of burglary of a wine and spirit merchants at 73 Victoria Street. The Magistrate said Kaimoana had repeated burglary and theft convictions and as this was a serious offence the only possible sentence was a term of Imprisonment. He said Kaimoana had travelled with two others from Christchurch to Rangiora to commit the burglary. The gang was Involved tn a crime of a serious nature and defendant was a fool to actively participate In It. BURGLARY Warren John Hobson, aged 17, an unemployed workman, was convicted and remanded In custody to September 9 for sentence on charges of burglary of the Victory Dairy, 231 Kllmore Street, on August 24. and burglary of a store in High Street. Kalapot, on August 26. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Downes said foodstuffs valued at SSI.IB were stolen from the dairy after the defendant climbed on to the roof and through a skylight. The defendant admitted being one of four youths who took foodstuffs valued at 8108.93 from the Kalapol store after breaking Into the premises. offensive: conduct On a charge of behaving In an offensive manner In a Daniels Road telephone cabinet on August 31. Edward Leslie Carney, aged 21, a clicker, was convicted and fined 840. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Downes said two constables saw the defendant urinating on the Boor of the cabinet as they passed in a car. He had been drinking, but was not drunk.

The defendant's application for.suppresslon of his name was refused. The Magistrate said he had a conviction for a similar offence in January. ASSAULT ADMITTED Michael Richard Green, aged 22. a machinist, was remanded on ball to September 9 for sentence on chargee of assaulting Traffic Officer Jason Bevan Middleton. and driving a car in Vicki Street while disqualified on August 3. He pleaded guilty to both charges. A charge of driving In a manner which might have been dangerous on Vicki Street, to which he pleaded not guilty, was dismissed.

Douglas Arthur Smith, aged 23, a machinist, was also remanded on ball to September 9 for sentence on a charge of assaulting Traffic Officer Lindsay Bruce Bolton on August 3. He pleaded guilty. Both men originally pleaded not guilty to the assault charges, but changed their pleas to guilty after the conclusion of the prosecution evidence. Mr w. S. Smith appeared for both accused.

The two traffic officers gave evidence of a scuffle wnlch took place outside a house at the corner of Vicki Street and Tensing Place early on the evening of August 3. after Traffic Officer Middleton wanted to speak to Green about an alleged driving offence.

FINED 820 David Robin Glass, aged 23. a well-driller LMr S. G. Erber). was fined 820 on a charge of being found by night unlawfully peering Into the window of a house on August 25. He pleaded guilty. Mr Erber explained that Glass had gone on to the property to see a girlfriend he had not visited for some time, and there was nothing sinister In hts actions. He said Glass had been drinking. FINED 8100 John Robert Hegan. aged 53. a retired farmer (Mr A. C. Fraser) was convicted and fined 3100, and disqualified from driving for three years when he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving on August 24 while under the influence of drink or a drug. Sergeant Downes said that the car Hegan was driving was seen travelling north towards Kalapol on the wrong side of the road. Shortly afterwards Hegan’s car was found stopped about eight feet from the side of the road with Its headlights on. Hegan was sitting behind the driver’s wheel attempting to drink from a half gallon Jar.

DROVE UNDER INFLUENCE Garry John Roberts, aged 24, unemployed (Mr M. G. L. Loughnan) pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of drink or a drug on Haynes Avenue on August 24. He was convicted, fined 880 and disqualified from driving for three years. ASSAULT On a charge of assaulting Traffic Officer Maurice Fuller on August 31, Robert John Mitchell, aged 26, a labourer, was convicted and fined 840 and disqualified from driving for six months. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Downes said two traffic officers approached the defendant In Riccarton Road because of his manner of driving. He became aggressive and struck the officer In the chest. TRAFFIC CHARGES In traffic prosecutions brought by the police, convictions were entered and penalties Imposed as follows, with Court costs, 85. on each charge:— Careless use of a motor vehicle: Claire Mary De Rink, 320. disqualified for one month: Arthur John Warren, 320, disqualified- for one month. Failed to give way to right: Max Eugen Friedberg. 820. (Before Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M.) NINE MONTHS GAOL Lyall Robert Lewis, aged 31, an unemployed truck driver, was sentenced to nine months Imprisonment on a charge of burglary of Croydon Motors, Ltd, 285 Cashel Street, on June 28. He was appearing for sentence and was represented by Mr W. A. Wilson. The Magistrate said Lewis had a long list of previous convictions. He was not mentally ill but was clearly addicted to liquor which It appeared he did not intend to give up. "I believe that you will persist in heavy drinking and will Inevitably continue to offend while under the Influence, ’’ the Magistrate said. “The present offence Indicates an alcoholic contempt for the law and other people's property." The term of imprisonment is to be followed by one year's probation and Lewis was ordered to take psychiatric treatment at the direction of the probation officer. PROBATION David Rozental. aged 57, a cleaner, was admitted to probation for one year and was ordered to take out a prohibition order when he appeared for sentence on charges of theft of a woman's cardigan valued at 812.25. the property of Beaths, Ltd. and a man’s suede coat valued at 88.95, the property of Beaths, Ltd. “No doubt If you leave drink alone we will not see you In Court again," said the Magistrate. (Before Mr W. F. Brown. S.M.) PROBATION Paul Ronald Tozer, aged 19, a workman, was placed on probation for 18 months, fined 820. and ordered to pay restitution of 57.50 when he appeared for sentence on a charge of wilfully damaging a car door window on June 23. He had previously been convicted. The Magistrate said the defendant had a good school and work record, but it was obvious he had been drinking too much. It was his last opportunity of offending without receiving some form of detention. BORSTAL TRAINING Stephen Frank Coward, aged 18, a factory hand, was sentenced to a period of Borstal training when he appeared for sentence on a charge of assault and a charge of burglary. Coward, who had been meant to appear for sentence on August 23, failed to appear and a bench warrant was Issued for his arrest. Before this was served, however, Coward gave himself up. When asked by the Magistrate why he had not appeared on August 23. Coward said he had "been a bit worried and taken off" but realised he could not keep running. The assault charge arose from an incident on June 22 when Coward approached a youth walking through Cathedral Square with friends and struck him several times round the face. On July 30 Coward broke Into a cabin at Lake Lyndon and removed money, a can of food, a plate and some cutlery. “You have a most unsatisfactory record. In September last year you were sentenced to a detention centre and In March this year you were convicted on a charge of disorderly behaviour." the Magistrate told Coward.

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