MAGISTRATE’S COURT Undercover agent bought cannabis sticks for $93

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 16

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Undercover agent bought cannabis sticks for $93

A youth who on three occasions sold cannabis to an undercover policeman was convicted by Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday on three narcotics charges. The youth, Patrick Snowden, aged 18. an unemployed factory hand (Mr A. W. Robinson), pleaded guilty to three charges of selling cannabis, and was convicted and remanded in custody to October 10 for sentence. Sergeant J. Palmer said that an undercover policeman had approached the defendant and spoken to him about drug use. The defendant had said he could get any drugs the policeman wanted. On May 14. the policeman met the defendant in Cathedral i Square. They again discussed | drugs, the defendant saying that Ihe could obtain cannabis sticks. The defendant went to two addresses by taxi in an effort : to get the cannabis, but had no success. At an address in’Woodham Road, he got four cannabis sticks, which he offered to the policeman for $l2 each. On analysis, the sticks were found to contain 7.5 grams of cannabis. On May 28. tlje policeman again met the defendant in Cathedral Square. The defendant said there would be drugs at a party at Woodham Road that evening. The policeman paid at the party $24 for two cannabis sticks. They contained 1.9 grams of cannabis. On June 5, the two again met in Cathedral Square. The defendant said the cannabis sticks would now cost only $10.50 each, and asked the policeman if he was interested. The latter said he would buy two sticks, and arranged to meet the defendant on June 6. The policeman gave the defendant $2l and received the two sticks. They were found to contain three grams of cannabis. On September 16, the defendant was questioned, and admitted meeting the policeman, but denied selling him any cannabis sticks. Mr Robinson said that one point in the statement of facts was disputed — that the defendant qpuld get any type of drug. The defendant had not obtained any hard drugs, he said. The defendant did not have a supply of cannabis sticks but had to travel extensively to get them, counsel said. “GLAD TO BE CAUGHT” A young man who had been Injecting himself with morphine for a month told members of the drug squad that he was pleased that they had caught him as he had been concerned about his health, said Sergeant Palmer, He is Norman Epi Shalfoon, aged 20, an unemployed spray painter, who pleaded guilty to charges of using morphine and possessing a syringe for the purpose of administering morphine. He was convicted and remanded on bail to October 10 for sentence.

The drug squad executed a search warrant on September 26 at a house in Cashel Street, said Sergeant. Palmer. As they approached the front door, they saw the. defendant throw- a tin out the window. It contained a syringe, two hypodermic needles, and capsules. The defendant told the police that he had injected himself with morphine the night before. He had been pleased that he was caught. USED MORPHINE A man. aged 21. whose name was suppressed in the interim, pleaded guilty to a charge of using morphine and was convicted and remanded on ball to October 10 for sentence. Sergeant Palmer said that when

the drug squad executed a search warrant at a Kilmore Street house on September 29, they saw the defendant Injecting himself in the arm. A capsule containing 15mg of morphine, in powder form, was confiscated. Mr A. W. Robinson, for the defendant, asked for interim suppression of name, as publication might seriously affect the defendant’s employer’s business. CULTIVATED CANNABIS A woman, aged 21, who pleaded guilty to a charge of cultivating cannabis, told the Magistrate that she objected to the profit motive of people selling it and that she intended to smoke it. She was convicted and remanded on bail to October 19. Her name was suppressed in the interim. Sergeant Palmer said that the [police called at the defendant’s address to talk to her about another matter and found two pots in her bedroom. The pots contained 12 cannabis plants, each about 3in high. The woman had admitted growing them from seeds. She intended planting them on a beach. They were for her own use. CHEQUE OFFENCES Walter William James Beech, aged 42, a cement worker, was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment on two charges of forging a cheque. He had pleaded guilty. His son, William James Beech, aged 20, a sickness bebneficiary, who had presented the cheques, was put on probation for a year and ordered to do 120 hours of community work. He had pleaded guilty to two charges of false pretence and two charges of presenting a cheque, knowing it to be forged. Mr N. R. Davidson, for Walter Beech, said that the defendant was involved with a woman and had the responsibility of supporting six children. He had had employment but had had to stop work because of an injury. He had found the cheque book at a rubbish dump, and had used all the money obtained to buy provisions for himself and the children. Mrs D. J. Rotherham, for William Beech, said he had committed the crimes at a time of financial stress. He also had an unstable family background. He now had employment, and there was every possibility that he would rehabilitate himself. REPORT CANCELLED The Magistrate withdrew an order made on Thursday that a woman be medically examined. The woman, aged 20, had appeared on a charge of disposing of a child’s body in order to conceal Its death. Appearing for the woman, Mr A. D. Holland said that the order had been prematurely made, and asked that it be withdrawn. The defendant will appear again on October 9. No plea has been entered. DETENTION CENTRE Gary Paul Habershon. aged 18, an unemployed labourer (Mr D. M. Palmer); was sentenced to detention-centre training on seven charges. He had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary, and charges of being unlawfully- in a house, wilful damage. driving while disqualified falling to report for periodic detention. and unlawfully taking a car. Mr Palmer said that the defendant did not realise the seriousness of the charges. Habershon had an obsession with motor-cycles, and it was impossible to have an intelligent conversation with him on any other subject. The Magistrate said that Habershon had four previous convictions for driving while disqualified, and had once before failed to report for periodic detention. TWO BURGLARIES Robert David Shields, aged 18, a factory worker (Mrs D. J. Rotherham), was sentenced to Borstal training on two charges of burglary, having previously pleaded guilty. The premises burgled were those of Diggs Barker Sales, Ltd. and Nightingale Products. Ltd. Mrs Rotherham said that other persons Involved in the burglaries were older than the defendant, and had led him. THEFT AS SERVANT Adele McNeill. aged 18. a receptionist, was convicted and remanded to October 10 for a nrobation report and sentence when she pleaded guilty to three charges of theft as a servant. Sergeant Palmer said that (early in September, the defendi ant reported to the police that :$ll2 had been stolen from her office drawer. Inquiries were made, and discrepancies found in a receipt book. The defendant admitted taking the money herself, to pay rent and a debt to her father. When the discrepancies had been discovered bv a member of I the staff, the defendant had deI elded to report the matter to ; the police as a theft. Sergeant ! Palmer said. RECEIVED STOLEN EGGS Terence Barlow Mahara. aged [32. an unemployed shearing ' sapper (Mr P. J. Rutledge). ! pleaded guffty to charges of receiving and assault, and was convicted and remanded on bail to November 7 for a probation report and sentence. The defendant was charged with receiving 171 dozen eggs on September ’3. and assaulting a hospital orderly. 'Philip Patrick O’Kane. on August 1. Th* Magistrate ordered the month’s remand after Mr Rutledge submitted thet the defen-

dant recognised that he had an alcohol problem and was going to Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer Springs, for treatment. The Magistrate said he would defer passing sentence until he had a progress report. Of the receiving charge, Sergeant Palmer said that 2.30 a.m. on September 13 Mahara was seen carrying eggs into his residence. When the police called, they found a trail of eggs leading out the back door. Inquiries showed that the eggs : could have been taken in the : burglary of a dairy. Five trays of 30 eggs each had been stolen. Mahara initially told the police that he had been given the ■ eggs at. a Sydenham party and . had later walked home with them, i When questioned a second time, he gave a different explanation. ■ He had thought they had been ; stolen and had paid nothing for them. He was intoxicated at the ; time. The assault charge arose from an incident at the Christchurch Hospital. Mahara was being a nuisance at the admissions and inquiries department and was asked to leave. Outside, in the courtyard, he was asked a second time to leave, but punched an orderly three times before doing so. ASSAULT ON POLICE Billy Lotomau Asi. aged 18, an unemployed labourer, was convicted and remanded on bail to October 10 for a probation report and sentence when he pleaded guilty to five charges arising from an Incident at a hotel on September 18. He was charged with assaulting a constable, escaping from custody, being a minor in a bar, refusing to give particulars of his age. and wilfully damaging a pair of trousers, valued at $2O. Sergeant Palmer said the defendant was questioned about his age in a Christchurch hotel bar. He refused three times to supply particulars„and was arrested. Outside the hotel he punched and wrestled with the constable. The constable’s trousers were damaged beyond repair. The defendant quietened down and became co-operative, but then ran away. He was pursued through nearby shops, but could not be found. He was apprehended later that evening by the same constable. John Alexander Greer, aged 33. a storeman driver, was convicted on a charge of stealing $45 and was remanded on ball to October 10 for sentence,-hav-ing pleaded guilty. .Sergeant Palmer said that the defendant took the money from a drawer in a bedroom when he was invited for dinner at the complainant’s house. He told the police that he had been ven’ short of money. STOLE HUB CAPS After being apprehended for stealing four hub caps and wheel trims from a car, Robert George Margetts, aged 22, a carpenter (Mr M. J. Glue), had told the police that it was “just a gag” and that he had had too much to drink, said Sergeant Palmer. The defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing property, valued at $6O, belonging to Tasman Rent-a-car. and was convicted and fined $lOO. Sergeant Palmer said that on September 18 the defendant and another person were seen taking the hub caps and wheel trims from a car in a Lichfield Street car-park. Mr Glue said that the offence was completely out of character. The sole reason for it was that the defendant had been drinking. ENTERED HOUSE Rex David Blackwell, aged 18, unemployed (Mr G. M. Brodie), who had pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully entering a Matipo Street house on July 31, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within one year if called on with the condition that he do 120 hours of community work. Mr Brodie said that Blackwell was out of work and had no money. At the time of the offence he had also been bored and had had nothing to do. The Magistrate said that the defendant was apparently a good worker once he started. It was time, however, he "snapped out of his present mood.” DL'NSANDEL OFFENCE One of two youths who broke three windows of the Dunsandel Presbyterian Church on May 10 was fined $lOO, and ordered to pay compensation of $3O. on a charge of wilful damage. Barry John Gregg, aged 19, a labourer, pleaded guilty to the charge. DOCKET ALTERED On a charge of attempting to obtain $34 by false pretence, Joseph Michael Williams, aged 24. unemployed (Mr A. W. Robinson), was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on within six months, with the condition he do 60 hours of community work. He pleaded guilty. On July 12, the defendant preIsented a docket for $34 for returned bottles at the Canterbury Glass Recycling Centre, Carlyle Street, said Sergeant Palmer. Inquiries showed that the docket had originally been ' made out for only 78c and that ! associates of the defendant had altered the amount. PETROL THEFT Brian Martin Woodley, aged 17. a copper worker, was fined $4O, and disqualified from driving for three months, on a charge of stealing four gallons of petrol from the yard of Colliers Transport. Ltd. on October 2. He pleaded guilty.

SHOPLIFTING Two women pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a sports top, valued at $ll.lO, the property of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd, on October 2. The women. Lorraine Makou, aged 19, unemployed, and Nina Kain, aged 21, a kitchen hand, were each convicted and fined $lO. THEFT OF CLOTHING lan Terrence Mills, aged 20, a timber worker (Mr R. J. Murfitt), was convicted and fined $25 after pleading guilty to a charge of stealing clothing, valued at $4.59, from Woolworths (N.Z.), Ltd, New Brighton, on August 16. STOLE CIGARETTES Charles Robert Clough, aged 50, unemployed, was convicted and fined $lO after pleading guilty to a charge of stealing a carton of cigarettes, valued at $4.25, the property of Woolworths (N.Z.), Ltd. STOLE STOCKINGS Angela Karen Richards, aged 17. an unemployed waitress, was convicted and fined $lO when she pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing, three pairs of stockings, valued at $2.38, the property of Woolworths (N.Z.). Ltd, on September 29. (Before Mr N. L. Bradford, S.M.) THEFTS AND BURGLARY Pauline Rameria Hammond, aged 17, was convicted and remanded to October 16 for sentence on two charges of theft and one of burglars’. She pleaded guilty. Sergeant M. L. White said that on June 12 the defendant and two male companions had gone to a supermarket and taken goods to the value of $1.35. Later, on June 25. the defendants had gone to the People’s Palace Hotel and entered the staff quarters, taking cosmetics and a night-gown. On September 22. she had stolen a pair of sunglasses, valued at $9, the property of Manson’s Pharmacy. The total value of goods stolen w r as $11.05. When questioned by the police, the defendant had admitted the offences. STOLE FUR COAT Vicki Jones, aged 20, was convicted and fined $lOO on a charge of stealing a fur coat, valued at $l5O, having earlier pleaded not guilty. Glenda Laurel Anderson, a cosmetician, said in evidence that on July 4 she had attended a cosmetic course at the Russley Hotel and had hung her coat on a coat-hook. Witness said that she left the hotel at 11.30 p.m. and on arrival home realised she had forgotten her coat. She returned to the hotel in the morning but found the coat missing. In a statement to the police, the defendant had said that while employed at the hotel as a night portress, she had found the coat and had put it in a cupboard, leaving it there for five days. In evidence, the defendant, said that she had left the coat to see if there were any inquires about it. She had then taken it home. “I liked the coat, and it was cold. I really didn’t mean to steal it.” she said. The Magistrate said that he was satisfied that it was a case of theft, and found the change provided. (Mr F. G. Paterson, S.M.) TWO ASSAULTS Leslie James Taylor, aged 31, a truck driver, was convicted and remanded to October 13 for sentence on charges of assaulting John Francis Heydon and Paul David Moore. He pleaded not guilty. The two assaults arose from an incident involving two cars bn Osborne Street, Waltham, on May 3. In a statement to the police, Taylor said he was driving east along Ferry Road with his wife and three young children when a car braked and turned sharply in front of him. “I jammed on my brakes, and followed the car down Osborne Street.” the statement said. The defendant's vehicle had slightly dented another car as they pulled up. Four males got out of this car. The defendant then returned to his car and took out a short crowbar. He hit one of the men on the elbow and another suffered a glancing blow, causing him slight bruising. The men had then called the police. The Magistrate said that the blow could have killed one of the men if he had not shielded himself with an arm. “I agree that the defendant did not set out to injure anyone. but the taking of the law into his own hands was a stupid action,” the Magistrate said.