MAGISTRATE'S COURT Youth admits 6 burglaries since 1973

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34156, 18 May 1976, Page 11

MAGISTRATE'S COURT Youth admits 6 burglaries since 1973

A youth who was arrested for burglary on May 9, later confessed to five more burglaries dating back to 1973, Sergeant D. Gib>on said in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Bernard Norman Francis Hooper, aged 17, a labourer, pleaded guilty to six charges of burglary. He was remanded for a medical examination and probation report to May 25 by Mr H. J. Evans, S.M.

Sergeant Gibson told the Court that the defendant and a companion had burgled a vegetable shop in Buchanans Road on May 9

but were disturbed by the owner.

When questioned by the police, Hooper had admitted five more burglaries. On July 1, 1973, he had broken into a neighbour’s house and stolen $27. On August 10, 1973, he had broken a window in St Matthew’s Church in Jeffreys Road and stolen a brass cross and two brass candlesticks.

With a companion, the defendant had stolen meat from a Cashel Street butchery on October 2, 1975. and on March 15, 1976. beer had beer stolen from the Black Horse Hotel in Lincoln Road. The Apple and Pear Board store in Kyle Street had been broken into on April 3. Hooper had told the police that he and a companion had stolen 160 cartons of beer from the store. Sergeant Gibson said that no restitution was sought. THEFT FROM PROVOST UNIT

A sergeant in the Military Police in Christchurch who was charged with stealing $341.82 from the 3rd Infantry Brigade Group Provost Unit was convicted and remanded to May 25 for a probation report and sentence.

Richard Anthony Forrest, aged 28, pleaded guilty to the charge, which occurred between February 24 and 26.

Sergeant Gibson said that on February 26, after the cash had been reported missing from the unit, Forrest and his friends had gone out for a night on the town.

The defendant and his friends had a meal, which the defendant paid for, and drinks afterwards, which he also paid for. Later they had all gone to a massage parlour, and Forrest had paid for them all again. He had also paid for the hire of a taxi throughout j the evening. Sergeant Gibson said. The defendant had since paid full compensation FURTHER REMAND A youth accused of possessing cannabis said to be

worth between $lO,OOO and $20,000 and of driving dan-i gerously, on May 8, was remanded in custody untill May 24 when he appeared yesterday. The youth, aged 19 (Mr G. R. Lascelles) was arrested after he was allegedly seen acting suspiciously near a cemetery at Bromley, j No plea was entered by ‘Mr Lascelles. '(Before Mr N. L. Bradford, S.M.) CARRYING RIFLE “You overreacted to this matter over a young lady in a manner which could have had serious consequences,” the Magistrate said, when sentencing a youth on charges of procuring a rifle without a permit and carrying the rifle except for some lawful purpose. Gavin Francis McMahon, aged 18, a process worker, was convicted and released on 12 months probation. He had pleaded guilty.

McMahon had been found carrying the firearm on February 25 outside his girlfriend’s bedroom after she had broken off their relationship. COMMUNITY WORK

A girl who made 49 toll calls using fictitious names, and charged the bill of $168.75 to her aunt, was ordered to do 150 hours of community work, to make compensation of $168.75, and was placed on probation for 12 months. Marion Honatana, aged 21, a packer, had pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding the Post Office. . “The time has now come when you must realise that the community will no longer tolerate your dishonesty,” the Magistrate said. TRIAL ELECTED A 22-year-old man charged with giving an indecent performance for gain elected trial by jury when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court .esterday. He was remanded to May 24 for the taking of depositions. He is one of three persons charged with this offence.

Another man, aged 28, and a woman, aged 19, had previously elected trial by jury and had been remanded to May 24 for the taking of I depositions. A second young woman, aged 17, has been charged with a similar offence. The defendants were charged after an alleged indecent performance in city premises.