SUPREME COURT Three years gaol on charge of arson

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33601, 1 August 1974, Page 9

SUPREME COURT Three years gaol on charge of arson

Anthony Larry Roy Memo, aged 21, a foundry moulder, was imprisoned for three years by Mr Justice Macarthur in the Supreme Court yesterday on a charge of wilfully setting fire to the premises of C. Meredith Nicholas. Ltd, 86 Worcester Street. ] on May 30.

Momo had pleaded guilty to the charge in the Magistrate’s Court. The Magistrate declined jurisdiction and committed him to the Supreme Court for sentence. Mr S. P. Graham, for the prisoner, said that the case was one of diminished responsibility because ' of] Momo’s mental condition. He had not intended to comImit arson- when he entered the shop. He had gone in primarily to cause damage to stock by throwing it about, presumably to give vent to the anger and hostility he: was feeling. The fire had: been really an afterthought i as he was leaving the prem-l ises. His Honour said that Momo had broken into a shop in Worcester Street about 11.30 p.m. on May 30. He had scattered stock about the premises, and had then thrown an accelerant on the walls and floor. He had caused a fire by throwing a cigarette butt on the accelerant. He had caused damage valued at about $5OO, but fortunately there had been no danger to life. Momo had a, formidable list of previous convictions. The probation officer said that since 1970, he had offended regularly. It had been felt that Momo was in need of psychiatric treatment, but after examination Sunnyside Hospital was unable to assist. Momo bordered on feeble- i mindedness, said his Honour. He presented the picture of a social and psychological out- i cast in society. He had under- j gone the whole range of pre- 1 ventive sentences but con-; tinued to .offend. An investigation had been ' made to see if Momo might ; come under the provisions i of section 39 of the i Criminal Justice Act, and , be classed as a men-' tally disordered person ' who might be committed. It ’ appeared that the psychiatrists were unable to certify 4 aim under that section, his ' Honour said. J “In my view, there is only '

one course open to the Court ] —and that must be taken in the public interest.” said his -Honour. “While you are at -large you are a menace to! society by reason of the; continued offences which you are committing," he told’ ‘Momo. “The Court has no option but to impose a substantial term of imprison ! ment upon you.” 1 j CHARGES OF RAPE j Hurikino Rangimaria iPiripi. aged 21, and Riki, ;Pohoera Piripi, aged’ 20, both brush hands, were each, j imprisoned f.or two years and ’ ]a half on charges of rape of] ja girl, aged 17, at a party at<a house in Bangor Street on! January 18. Riki Piripi had pleaded; guilty to the charge oni arraignment. Hurikino Piripi] had been found guiltv bv at jury. : Mr E. T. Higgins, f.or both'; jprisoners, said that the two.: | brothers were good workers]) ]who had done quite well in!:

. life. They were ashamed of i what they had done “It was a brutal affair." jsaid his Honotlr. “Riki Piripi 1 dwas the first to offend. You! ‘ hit the girl about the face i.and body, subdued her. and I'raped her. | “A little later you. Hurikino Piripi, put your hands: jaround her throat, told her jthat you would do what your (brother had already done if she did not succumb, and then you raped her. “This girl did nothing to • invite attention from either lof you. She resisted to the 'best of her ability. ■ “Plainly, this Court has a. (heavy duty t.o the public ini ;that it must do what it can to; (protect girls from this type .of offence, which unfor-j jtunately is becoming all too iprevalent.” his Honour said. Both prisoners had very, ■good records but a sub-, stantia) term of imprison-; jment had to be imposed, he isaid.