MAGISTRATE’S COURT MEN CONVICTED ON JOINT CHARGE OF ASSAULT

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33381, 13 November 1973, Page 19

MAGISTRATE’S COURT MEN CONVICTED ON JOINT CHARGE OF ASSAULT

Colin Matthew Kirkwood, aged 29, a shearing hand (Mr M. P. Boyce) and Michael Raymond Pirnley, aged 22, a process worker (Mr S. P. Graham) were convicted and remanded on bail to November 19 for sentence when they appeared on a joint charge of assault before Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M. in the Magistrates’ Court yesterday. They had previously pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant F. G. Mulcare said the assault happened in Manchester Street near the intersection with St Asaph Street early in the morning. The complainant could remember very little about what happened between his leaving a house in Aranui, and waking up in hospital. Witnesses gave evidence of having seen a man lying on the road beside the gutter being kicked by both defendants. His face was covered with blood. One defendant, Kirkwood, had taken a much greater part than the other. All witnesses were able to identify the defendants in Court. The defence said the fight had been started by the complainant, a passing motorist. In evidence, Kirkwood said he had banged on the roof of the complainant’s car as it passed because the complainant had nearly run him over. They had sworn at each other, and the complainant had stopped the car and come straight for him. Kirkwood had said, “You go first” and the com-

plainant had replied: “Don’t worry I will,” The complainant had then hit him in the mouth. Kirkwood admitted flying straight in with his fists, and “booting” the complainant on the ground. In evidence Pimley said he had gone to see what was going on and denied assaulting the complainant. (Before Mr K. H. J. Headlfen, S.M.) CLOTHING THEFT Two women, employed as cleaners by a Christchurch clothing manufacturer, pleaded guilty to charges of theft of clothing worth a total of $1046.17 from the company’s warehouse. They were represented by Mr P.' Guild. Their names were suppressed in the meantime. The defendants were convicted and remanded on bail to February 9 for sentence. Sergeant R. H. Prouting said that as a result of a complaint to the police a watch was kept on the company’s warehouse. At 6 a.m. on November 1 as the cleaners were leaving they were stopped and interviewed. The defendants were among them. One of the defendants said she had taken a few small items from time to time from the warehouse for her children. When she was searched she was found to be wearing a pair of men’s trousers, other new articles of clothing, and carrying other stolen clothing worth a total of $52.98. She said she had no other stolen property in her house, but when it was searched clothing worth $902.10 was recovered. The other defendant was found to be wearing a stolen lumper worth $6. She said it was the first time she had taken anvthing Stolen clothing worth $85.09 was found when her house was searched. She told the police she was overcome by temptation. FINED $6O George Edward Harrison, aged 19, a plumber (Mr R. J. Murfitt), was fined S2O on a charge of theft, and $4O on one of wilful damage. He pleaded guilty to both charges. Sergeant R. H. Prouting said the defendant had been at a

party in Selwyn Street. As he was leaving he saw a clock under a hedge and stole it. On a separate occasion, as he was leaving the Gresham Hotel, he threw a full bottle of beer through a window in the front door. (Before Mr F. G. Paterson, S.M.) FOUR CHARGES Albert Gordon Robert Millin, aged 19, a workman (Mr K. N. Hampton), was placed on probation for 18 months, fined a total of $l5O, and ordered to pay restitution of $115.93 when he appeared for sentence on three charges of burglary and one charge of unlawfully entering a house. He had previously pleaded guilty. As a special condition of probation he was ordered to live and work where directed by the probation officer. THEFT FROM EMPLOYER Darryl Edward Hawker, aged 18, a workman, was sentenced to

periodic detention for six months when he appeared on a charge of stealing glassware worth $6O while employed as a sorter by Crown Crystal Glass. Ltd, in August. Hawker had previously pleaded guilty. The glassware was found hidden in the roof of the defendant’s house when it was searched by the police. BURGLARY On charges of burgling the premises of Butlers, Ltd, Armagh Street, on October 21, and a house in Chester Street. Mark Alexander Halliday, aged 18, an apprentice crane driver, was placed on probation for one year and fined a total of $lOO. He had previously pleaded guilty.