CONVICTION QUASHED

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33062, 1 November 1972, Page 11

CONVICTION QUASHED

Incident at Ashburton

An appeal by Lawrence McCormick, aged 17, an apprentice welder, against conviction in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on a charge that on September 16 at Ashburton he was a rogue and a vagabond in that he was armed with a .303 rifle with felonious intent, was upheld by Mr Justice Wilson in the Supreme Court yesterday. His Honour quashed the conviction.

McCormick, who was represented by Mr A. K. Grant, also appealed against conviction on a charge that on September 16 at Ashburton he carried a .303 rifle except for some lawful purpose. That appeal was dismissed but the sentence on that charge was quashed. McCormick was sentenced in the Magistrate’s Court to Borstal training on both charges. His Honour yesterday substituted a fine of $lOO and probation for two years on the charge of carrying a rifle except for some lawful purpose. McCormick was ordered not to associate with persons disapproved of by the probation officer and that he immediately dispose of his other rifle and slug gun. An order for the forfeiture of the rifle involved in the offence was made by the Magistrate. His Honour said that he was impressed by the fact that McCormick was a good worker and had remained in his.apprenticeship but he had been associating with the wrong persons and had got himself on the fringe of a near tragedy. McCormick needed guidance which he had not been given at home.