No Conviction For Entering Aircraft

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32194, 13 January 1970, Page 20

No Conviction For Entering Aircraft

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 12. A charge against two youths of entering an Orion aircraft at the Whenuapai air base last month was today adjourned until February 9.

Mr A. A. Coates, S.M., told the youths that he was adjourning the case with a view to discharging them without conviction. He ordered each to pay $25 towards Court costs.

Appearing for sentence before him were John French, aged 18, and Herbert Bruce Goodhew, aged 18, both unemployed. For the defendants, Mr K. Ryan said their actions had been foolish but were not intended to cause embarrassment to the Air Force or the Government

Mr Ryan said French had a natural attraction for aircraft and was now waiting for the result of his school certificate examination after applying to enter the R.N.Z.A.F. Any conviction would jeopardise his chances of a flying career.

Mr Ryan said both defendants had willingly testified

before an Air Force court of Inquiry. They had entered the $4,500,000 Orion through a hatch which had been left open for ready entry in case fire broke out in the aircraft. “This was not a breakdown in security, but a million to one chance," said Mr Ryan. The Magistrate said he was satisfied there was no sinister Intent in their actions, which, he said, were the result of curiosity. He intended to treat the case as the outcome of enthusiasm and a desire for further knowledge about the aircraft, and said it was clear that neither defendant had any political affiliations. The Magistrate agreed that a conviction would probably prevent French from entering the Air Force, and said that having extended to him that concession, he felt obliged to do the same for Goodhew.