Rich gaoled for 18 months more

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32998, 18 August 1972, Page 8

Rich gaoled for 18 months more

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 17.

Mervyn Anthony Rich, aged 28, today was sentenced by Mr Justice Henry to 18 months gaol for receiving, six months for possession of housebreaking implements, and six months for escaping from custody, when he appeared in the Supreme Court.

The terms are to be concurrent but will be cumulative on a sentence of five years and a half that he is already serving.

Rich appeared in court handcuffed to two prison officers, one of whom is reputed to be a karate expert and flanked by two other prison

officers. Six policemen stood nearby inside the courtroom. The first two charges arose after a burglary at Investment House in Auckland at Easter. Later, Rich escaped from the Auckland Magistrate’s Court.

Rich was not represented in court today. Rich told the Court that he felt a strong sense of injustice at having been found guilty of receiving and possessing housebreaking implements.

“I am completely innocent of these, but all through the trial I was in a hopeless position,” he said. “On the face of things it must appear a little inconsistent that I didn’t say this during the trial, but there were reasons for this.” Rich said that because his evidence would have included allegations that the police lied, it might have led a jury to disbelieve all he had said.

Rich said the same allegations by him would have had an adverse effect because his

criminal record would have been produced in court. He also said his counsel had advised him not to give evidence.

“If I had given evidence I would have denied being a party to the burglary and would have said the police lied on oath,” said Rich. His Honour: I can’t allow you to go on. What do you want to say about your sentence? Rich: You’re just putting the damper on my submissions. His Honour: No, I’m giving you all the time you want, but only in respect of sentence. Rich: There’s really nothing

I can say to you. I’ve prepared my submissions over a long period and as far as I’m concerned I’m innocent. I’m not prepared to ask for mercy, because I’m innocent. I’ve had ail the cards stacked against me, evidence, lies, informers . . . His Honour: All I can tell you is that you’re not doing yourself any good by making these allegations. Do you wish to say anything about your sentence? Rich: No.

Imposing sentence, His Honour said Rich had been found guilty of serious crimes which required a term of imprisonment. He noted that Rich was already serving a prison term.