Two Youths Admit 59 Charges Involving Cars Worth $67,220

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32068, 16 August 1969, Page 22

Two Youths Admit 59 Charges Involving Cars Worth $67,220

Two youths who each pleaded guilty to 59 charges involving cars worth a total of $67,220, as well as charges of theft and burglary, were convicted and committed to the Supreme Court for sentence when they appeared before Mr P. L. Molineaux, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Michael Vincent Gardiner, aged 19, a driver (Mr K. N. Hampton), and Lester John Summerfield, aged 18, an apprentice carpenter (Mr D. J. Boyle), appeared on 50 charges of unlawfully taking cars, nine charges of interfering with cars, six charges of burglary and four charges of theft.

On charges brought by the Ministry of Transport of driving recklessly on June 7, and failing to stop for a siren, both defendants were convicted and remanded in custody to August 29 for sentence in the Magistrate’s Court.

The taking of pleas on each charge took one hour. Counsel elected summary jurisdiction on behalf of their clients.

Detective Sergeant B. J. Preston said all the offences were committed between April 19 and August 8. Damage to vehicles amounted to $3467 and $632 worth of property was stolen. Unrecovered property was worth $177 and if restitution was considered it amounted to $3645.

The defendants showed a preference for Austin A4O Farina ' cars and Morris Oxford cars, said Detective Sergeant Preston. The cars were generally taken from three areas— Cashmere, Sumner, and a small part of the city. The Austin and Morris cars were usually taken from the city.

area, and the other cars were taken from the hill areas where the defendants were able to run them downhill to start them.

On many occasions the defendants took a car each and followed each other around. While in possession of the cars they committed the burglaries, which were all smash-and-grab type offences. In all except three cases the cars were locked and entry was gained by'forcing or breaking a quarter-light. In only one instance • were keys found in the vehicle. All other vehicles were started by crossing wires. In starting cars downhill the defendants lost control of four of them and they went over a bank. A Falcon car was found in the Avon River and $467 worth of damage was done to it. Damage worth $3OO was done to an Austin A4O which had the dashboard smashed and roof lining slashed, as well as exterior damage. One woman was without her car for two months while repairs were being made. The defendants were involved in at least four accidents while driving converted vehicles.

On the night of August 8 the defendants were seen breaking into Wine Sellers, Ltd. Police converged on the area and a high-speed chase ensued which resulted in the defendants crashing their ear. They both ran away but were caught, said Detective Sergeant Preston. Traffic Officer J. E. Kerry said that at 10.45 p.m. on June 7, he was stationary at the' Sockbum roundabout on Blenheim road when he saw two cars travelling at high speed. He checked them at 45 miles an hour on Racecourse road, but the faster

he went, the faster the other two cans went. The two cars reached a speed of up to 65 miles an hour and Traffic Officer Keery switched on his siren and red flashing light, but the cars did not stop. Traffic Officer Keery radioed for assistance from Traffic Officer S. Wells who was in the area. Both the pursued took corners at high speeds without making any attempt to check for other traffic and at one corner a woman was nearly knocked from her scooter. Back on Yaldhurst road both cars reached a speed of 80 miles an hour before Church Corner. Traffic Officer Keery said he twice tried to pull alongside the second car but each time it swerved out towards him, forcing him to drop back. Other traffic was passed at speeds of 75 to 80 miles an hour and both vehicles at times were only a few feet from the right-hand kerb. The drivers of several oncoming vehicles pulled sharply to the left and stopped. Both cars took Church Corner at 50 miles an hour and one, a modified Austin A4O Farina, turned into Waimairi road at 35 miles an hour. Traffic Officer Keery followed the Austin and reached a speed of 95 miles an hour but found the the gap was increasing and the chase was discontinued near Greers road. Traffic Officer Wells chased the other car, a Morris Oxford, but the car was later abandoned and the driver was not found. On August 14, both defendants' were interviewed and Gardiner admitted being the driver of the Morris car and Summerfield admitted driving the Austin.