Darwin chief in argument
(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) DARWIN, December 30. The chief of the Natural Disasters Organisation (MajorGeneral Alan Stretton) sought an urgent conference with the local magistrate after a man had been sentenced to nine months imprisonment in Darwin today.
The man, Guldin Kelly, aged about 30, was given the sentence when he was convicted in the Darwin Magistrate’s Court of having obtained liquor under false pretences. He was also convicted. but given no sentence, on a charge of having impersonated a police officer. A second case — of alleged looting — was proceeding
when the General’s messenger reached the court. He had been sent by General Stretton after he heard of the sentence imposed on Kelly. The Magistrate, Mr David McCann, immediately adjourned proceedings and met the General outside the court building. There was a heated discussion.
It is understood that General Stretton was upset at the severity of the sentence.
During the discussion, General Stretton was heard to say he was in sole command of the area. Mr McCann replied: “This is my Court.” The Court was told that Kelly, a full-blooded Aboriginal, who had come to the Northern Territory 12 months ago, had worked as a volunteer on December 28, three
days after Cyclone Tracy devastated the city. He had been serving a gaol term for aggravated assault, but was released to help with cyclone clean-up work. Counsel for Kelly said that he (Kelly) wanted to quench his thirst after a hard day’s work.
Kelly approached an official at the Casuarina High School and said he was a member of the Commonwealth Police. Counsel for Kelly said the accused was wearing “rags" at the time of' the alleged offence, and could hardly have been mistaken for a police officer. Kelly pleaded guilty to charges of impersonating a police officer and obtaining one bottle of brandy and one bottle of whisky under false pretences. After his confrontation with General Stretton, Mr
McCann returned to the Court and adjourned proceedings until 2 p.m. local time.
He is to hear looting charges against a total of 13 men — including two juveniles. In a statement after the incident outside the court General Stretton apologised for what he described as “an unfortunate incident.
“I very much regret any embarrassment I may have caused to Mr McCann and apologise for the incident,” he said. “I had reason to communicate with the Court, and the unfortunate situation arose because .of a lack of communication.
“I am a barrister of the High Court of Australia, and I am fully aware how important it is that legal processes must go on.
“It is especially important
in a situation such as we have here.” General Stretton, showing signs of emotional distress, had his arm around Mr McCann during his statement to newsmen.
He said: “I am not trying to interfere with the course of justice. What happened came from the difficulty in communicating with the Court.
“I think it is important that this shows to people in the south how brittle the situation is.
“If there are mistakes; made, I am certainly sorry for them.” General Stretton emphasised the importance of law and order. “It is vital,” he said. “We’re all sticking together here.”
The General said he was not prepared to answer any questions on the matter.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33730, 31 December 1974, Page 1
Word Count
550Darwin chief in argument Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33730, 31 December 1974, Page 1
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