MAGISTRATE’S COURT Woman Obtained Goods Worth $992 By False Pretences

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32078, 28 August 1969, Page 9

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Woman Obtained Goods Worth $992 By False Pretences

j A woman who obtained goods worth $992.58 from Christchurch department stores between December and March by charging them to genuine account holders, pleaded guilty before Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to five charges of obtaining i the goods by false pretences. The defendant, who was I granted interim suppression of her name on the application of her counsel (Mr S. jG. Erber), was convicted on I all charges and remanded on bail to September 3 for sentence. The Magistrate said it was extremely unlikely that the defendant would be granted final suppression of her name. “Submissions in support of the defendant’s name being | suppressed had better be ; substantial,” he said. “I may give consideration to declining jurisdiction and ; sending her to the Supreme Court for sentence.” Detective Sergeant B. J. Preston said shop assistants from the store of the New j Zealand Farmers’ Co-opera- ; tive Association of CanterIbury, Ltd, loaded 15J yards I of carpet, valued at $459, on

to the defendant’s truck on February 21 after she had charged it to another person’s account Shop assistants of Hay’s, Ltd, loaded a refrigerator valued at $279 on to the truck when she obtained it on the same date in the same manner. Other goods obtained from the Farmers’ on two occasions in March included a transistor radio, record player, golf clubs and trundler. A string of pearls valued at $77.50 was obtained by a false pretence from J. Ballantyne and Company, Ltd, on December 23. Detective Sergeant Preston said the defendant admitted the offences after first denying being responsible for them when interviewed on August 4. She said she had found the names and addresses of the persons whose names she had used in newspapers. Mr Erber said his firm had more than sufficient funds held for the defendant in its trust account to meet in full the amount of restitution. The defendant had a long medical background. SHOP THEFTS The defendant’s previous good record alone saved her from being sent to prison, the Magistrate said when imposing a fine of $5O on Isabel Eileen Pumpa. aged 47, a housewife <Mr R. F Powell), after convicting her on a charge of stealing clothing, knitting wool and hair spray val ued at $12.54 from Millers, Ltd. ion August 4. | The defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs of $5 on a charge of theft of a blouse valued at $5.50 from Millers, Ltd, on July 30. She pleaded guilty |to both charges I When refusing to suppress the (defendant’s name, the Magis irate said she had followed a clear pattern of stealing in the offence committed on August 4. I Detective Sergeant Preston said a security officer saw the lefendant place the articles in | her bag and leave the store without paying on August 4. She admitted the offence committed in June when interviewed by the police. Mr Powell said the defendant sincerely regretted the offences (She had a steady income and could have paid for the articles, which she did not want. The offences were committed while in a state of diminished responsibility. SUPPRESSED

A woman, whose name was suppressed (Mr J, R. Milligan), was convicted and fined $lO on la charge of stealing groceries (valued at $3.35 from a shop on July 10. She pleaded guilty. Mr Milligan said the defend ant had had more than her fair share of mental disorders. She now lived in a twilight world | jf responsibility. The Magistrate said that from I the medical certificate produced I it was very doubtful if the defendant had any appreciation of the criminal law, or of her responsibilities under it. POISON OFFENCES A woman, whose name was suppressed (Mr J. S. Bisphan), was placed on probation for three years on a charge of theft as a servant of S3O prescription poison tablets between March. 1968. and March. J 969. On a charge of having in her possession on March 29 three betaaminopropylbenzine tablets, a prescription poison, she was discharged. The defendant had earlier this I year pleaded guilty to the (charges, been convicted, and or dercd to come up for sentence within sii months if called upon. She was brought before the Court on these offences again when she pleaded guilty to three further charges of having prescription poisons in her possession on July 8. On these charges she was also convicted and discharged. Mr Bisphan said it was obvious the defendant had fallen by the wayside since her last Court appearance, and had been asked to leave her employment. It was clear, however, she had possession of the drugs solely for her own use. The Magistrate said it was clear beyond question that the defendant’s only hope of rehabilitation lay in her undergoing medical treatment. ‘■The only person whose life

you have ruined is your own. You haven't involved anyone else." He said he had disehargod the defendant on all but one Charge because her rehabilitation could involve prolonged hospital treatment and she-would be unable to pay ones. A special condition of her probation was that she undergo treatment as dlrected by the probation officer "If you are prepared to make the effort I see no reason why you should not be able to break this habit," he said. SNATCHED BAG A woman, waiting for the arrival of a police patrol after she found her car had been damaged while she was In a Tuam Street cinema, was approached by the accused, who asked directions to a hotel, Detective Sergeant Preston told the Court. Accused then grabbed the woman’s handbag, breaking the strap, and ran off. The bag contained *2O In cash, a cheque book, and a Post Office savings book. The accused, Norman Benjamin Taylor, aged 22, unemployed, was pursued by the police patrol which arrived shortly after. After a chase down alleys and streets, he was , apprehended In Colombo Street near Cashel Street, said Detective Sergeant Preston. The cheque book and the savings book were in his pockets, but no money was found. The bag was found In an alley. Taylor who pleaded guilty to the theft of the bag, was remanded to September 3 for a probation report and sentence. He pleaded not guilty to two other charges, of resisting arrest, and assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty. He was remanded to September 11 for a hearing of those charges. Mr W. A. Wilson, who represented Taylor, applied for bail The request was refused by the' Magistrate, who noted the accused’s release on probation earlier this year on a number of convictuns for dishonesty. STOLE TV SET

Mervyn John Harkness, who hired a television set on July 28, later sold it to a hotel licensee tor »30. the Court was told when he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of the television set. , Harkness, aged 24. a factory hand, paid *lO deposit for the set, and made a subsequent payment of 28 before selling it. On a charge of car conversion to which he pleaded not guilty, he was remanded to September 11, to which date he was also remanded for sentence on the theft charge. ASSAULT In a charge of assaulting Bernham Blyth on August 22. Collin Tlhl, aged 22. a labourer, was convicted and remanded on ball to September 3 for sentence. He pleaded guilty.

LIQUOR OFFENCES . Minor found In bar: Nell Michael Aitken. 212 igave-false information, 28): Murray William Clemens, 212; Neil David Howard. 212; Frances Dawn Lawson, 215.

Minor consumed liquor In hotel: Russell John Aldridge, 212: Peter Dennis Reedy, 15; Alister William Rutherford, 212. Found on licensed premises after hours: Walter Hulston, 28; Murray Shier. 28.

TRAFFIC OFFENCES In police traffic prosecution's convictions were entered and fines Imposed as follows, with costs of 25 in each case: Excess alcohol concentration: Colin Denis McClintock. 280. disqualified for 18 months; Maurice Michael Jacobs, 2100. disqualified for three years. Dangerbus driving: Michael Allan Croft, KO, disqualified for 18 months. TRAFFIC PROSECUTIONS In Ministry ot Transport prosecutions, convictions were entered and fines Imposed, with 25 Court costs in each case, on the following:— . Exceeded 30 miles an hour: J. B. Butcher. *25; J. A. Gregge, 220; E. R. McMeekan. 215; J. C. Shearer, J 10: S. R. Thorn, 810; W. A. Turner, 220; D. W. Adams. *10: J. T. Bradford, 825; P. W. Brewer, 815; N. L. Fleet. 810; D. J. Froom, 815: R. P. Gurney, 88: B. A. J. Hamilton. 815; M. A. Hessey, 820: R. T. Kyle, *25: M. P. McGee, 815; J. M. S. Oakley, 820; H. F. Richards. 815; M. Shanks. *2O; B. L. Stringer. *2O. Insufficient lights: J. T. Hebden, 810; G. K. Lewis, 810. Failed to stop at sign: O. Kerbers, *l3: J, Leys. *l5: P. Fitzgerald, 815; B. D. Hurst. 815. Worn tyres: D. G. Spencer, 815: B. R. Webber, 815. No safety helmet: W. A. Turner, *S; E. D. Carter. *l5. Probationary driver, exceeded 50 miles an hour: M. P. McGee, *l5.

(Before Mr P. L. Mollneaux, (.it.) SIX MONTHS GAOL Carl Frederick Rosel, aged 25, unemployed, was sent to prison for ■ six months when he appeared for sentence on a charge of receiving from a person or persons unknown goods worth *268.47 when he knew they had been dishonestly obtained. Mr K. N. Hampton, for the accused, said that the goods were left in the garage of premises Rosel was renting. He had nothing to do with the goods being placed there and suspected that they had been put in the garage by former crltninai associates. Rosel was short of money and very foolishly look some ot the items: out of the sacks into his house. There was nothing to suggest that Rosel was a professional receiver of stolen property. The Magistrate said that part of the proceeds from the burglary of a hairdresser’s was placed In the garage of the house rented by Rosel and some of the items were found In his bedroom. He had a number of previous convictions for offences Involving dishonesty and the orily appropriate sentence was one of Imprisonment, TOOK MOTORCYCLE Taita Rapana, aged 30. a workman, was sent to prison for three months when he appeared for sentence on a charge of unlawfully taking a motor-cycle, the property of Brian Kaye. The term of imprisonment is to be followed by a year's probation and Rapana was ordered to take out a prohibition order. On a charge of having no driver’s licence Rapana was lined *6. The Magistrate said that drink had been a factor In all Rapana's offending for a number of years. He took the motor-cycle to go to a hotel. Rapana had a considerable list of convictions, many of which were for unlawfully taking motor vehicles and he had failed to co-operate on probation.

FINED $2OO Trevor Mich-ael Pike, aged 29. unemployed, was fined 2150 on a charge of burglary of the premises of Norvic Footwear, Ltd, and 850 on a charge of attempted theft of two bottles of rum valued at *8.30, the property of the Crown Hotel. He was appearing for sentence. The Magistrate said that it bad been found that Pike could not be admitted to Sunnyside Hospital for treatment for alcoholism. He had recently been operated on for a peptic ulcer and It would be unfair to send him to prison. Pike was also admitted to probation for two years and ordered to take psychiatric and medical treatment and to take out a prohibition order.

“ACT OF FOLLY” It was an act of folly to allow a 12-year-old child to drive a tractor on the open road, the Magistrate said. He fined Reginald Milne Laing, a milk vendor and farmer, (8 when he pleaded guilty to a charge of permitting an under-aged driver to drive.

Traffic Officer B. G. King said he had stopped Laing's son as he drove a farm tractor on Sawyers Arms Road on May 10. Laing, who had been following in anotherjfehicle, said he believed a 12-year-old boy was permitted to drive a tractor. This was the case on farm property, said Traffic Officer King, but not on the open road. The Magistrate said Laing should be aware of the dangers of operating such a vehicle. "This has been given extensive publicity through the press, and to even allow a child of 12 to. drive a tractor on the farm Is of doubtful wisdom,” he said. "But to turn him loose on the open road Is an get of sheer folly."

SECOND OFFENCE Because this was Ms second offence he could not expect leniency from the Court in the future the Magistrate hold Timothy Bernard Lilley, aged I 18. (Mr M. J. Glue), when fining him *lOO and disqualifying him from driving for a further year on a charge ot driving while disqualified, Lilley pleaded gullfy. Traffic Officer J. B. Middleton said Lilley had been seen riding a motor-cycle by a traffic officer who knew him to be disqualified. A chase ensued, and Lilley had been found hiding behind a pile of spoil in a Hornby recreation area. He admitted to being a disqualified driver. Mr Glue said the Internal combustion engine had caused a great deal of trouble for Lilley. He would not now be driving for a long time, and was already paying a substantial fine. He was only 17 years and a half when the offence occurred, and his immaturity had probably played a prominent part in his breaking the law. FINED $55 Daniel Martin Pryce was fined a total of $55 when he pleaded guilty to charges of driving in a dangerous manner and having no driver’s licence. He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for 12 months. Prosecuting, Traffic Officer T. G. Slipper said that at 8.40 p.m on May 3 he had seen Pryce driving an early model car without lights on Harewood Road. He had chased him. and switched on his red Hashing light, but Pryce had sped at 40 miles an hour down Hoan? Street. He had been apprehended when he turned into Chape'. Street and pulled to the kerb. Traffic Officer Slipper said Pryce had been charged with dangerous driving because Hoani Street was narrow and very dark. There were no street lights and trees lined both sides.

Pryce’s father told the Magistrate that the car. which was neither warranted nor registered, had been left outside his house for some time. Efforts to locate its owner had failed and his son had refused to reveal his identity as he did not want to tell on his friends. The Magistrate told Pryce his father had come io Court to stand by him For this Pryce owed a great deal of respect to him and, when his father tried tii talk, he should co-operate There were not many fathers who did what his had done, he said. FINED $5O Maurice James Paul Polatau. aged 18, an apprentice mechanic, was fined $5O on a charge of unlawfully getting on a tractor-loader at Porigaroa near Pahiatua, on February 2. The Magistrate said that Polalau’s co-offerider had a criminal record but he was a first offender. It was an iso lated offence committed on the spur of the moment. TRAFFIC CASES In Ministry ot Transport prosecutions, convictions were entered and fines imposed, with $5 Court costs in each case, on the following:—Exceeded heavy traffic licence: Crown Crystal Glass Company. $lO (exceeded certificate of loading. $10). Exceeded 30 m.p.h.t D. J. Dabinett. $2O; D. T. Moore. $35: K. N. Sunbeam, $10; G. B. Bockett, $l2; J. Dent, $25; D J. Millward, costs only; M. D. Shand. $2O; B. M. Smith, $l2; C. E. Unsay, $2O; J. Napier. $l2; G. C. Parfitt. $l2; K. J. Forbes, $10; R. F. Hebband, $l2; J. Howard, $2O: K. M. Langesen, $l2; P. N. McOscar, $l2; K. M. Ruddle. $l2; P. A. Topp. $27; L. W. Grenfell. $l2; K. Henderson. $l2; I. M. Nurse. $3O; K. N. Tunnicliffe, $25; S Williamson. $10: R. Wyatt, $10; M. E. Allsop. $8; P. T. Brown. $10; J. M. Donovan, $25; S. D. Fuller. $l2; M, R. Newnhnm, $10; T. Levs. $10; C. W. van Heusden. Sl2; B. W. Walker. *10; J. R. Wooleott, $10; A. K. Amos. *l2; S. R. Chapman. 86. No heavy traffic licence: Mills and Graham. Ltd, *6. s Vehicle dangerously loaded: I. B. Johnston, >2O. Drove at a speed that might have been dangerous: J. G. Frew, *6O, disqualified tor 12 months. Failed to keep left: w. J. Stead. *6; M. T. Cooker. *lO. Breach of goods service licence: W. H. Forster. ,6. Failed to stop at compulsory stop: G. D. Pole, *10: T. Young. *4O, disqualified for three months; N, W. Lewis. S2Q; S. F. Rutherford, 85; R M. Simcock, *l2;j A. W. Davies. *l5; R. E. Hincock, *l2; D. K. Rutherford. *l2; D. R. Dalkec, B. P. Abbie, *l2; W. J. Collins. *l2. (Before Messrs H. N. Pyne and A. J. Henderson, Justices of the Peace.) COMMITTED FOR TRIAL A man, whose name was suppressed, was committed lor trial in the Supreme Court on a charge of receiving a television set valued at '♦178.92 from a person or persons unknown when he knew It had been dishonestly obtained. The accused, who pleaded not luilty, had elected trial by ury. He was represented by Ir W. A. Wilson. Sergeant J. D. Farrow prosecuted.