Young bloods rear up

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34107, 20 March 1976, Page 3

Young bloods rear up

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Mar. 19. Three youths, “The high blood of youth coursing through their veins,” as their defence counsel put it, exposed their buttocks from the rear window of a car in Wellington on January 13. But the car they were in was being followed by a taxi, and the driver took offence and radioed his office for the police. The youths appeared in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court today, pleading guilty to charges of offensive behaviour. Mr I. Hay, S.M., told them they would be discharged without conviction if they could each produce a receipt of $75 from a worth-while charity by 2.15 p.m.

For two of the defendants, Mr V. M. Dawson said the incident had arisen in a moment of group insanity. They had not deliberately set out to offend anybody.

Mr Dawson said the passenger in the front seat of the taxi had treated it as a joke, and likened the incident to a similar one in the film. “American Graffiti," which was certified for general exhibition.

Mr Dawson said the taxi-driver was from Western Samoa, where such an incident would be considered highly offensive.

Mr J. R. Wi*d, appearing for the other defendant, said that, but for the taxi-driver, the youths would not have appeared in court.

“The fact that the lady passenger thought it was a bit of a joke puts a proper prospective on the matter,” he said.