TV set proved difficult to shift

Press, 26 May 1977, Page 7

TV set proved difficult to shift

A policeman, acting “on information received,” watched a burglar struggling to remove a colour television set which was bolted to the floor of a unit in the Avon Motor Lodge, Mr Justice Casey was told in the Supreme Court yesterday. His Honour sentenced Colin John Hancock, aged 39, a sickness beneficiary, to one year’s periodic detention on a charge of burglary of the Avon Motor Lodge on April 5. Hancock, who was represented by Mr G. M. Brodie, pleaded guilty to the offence after the taking of depositions. Evidence was given in the Magistrate’s Court by a constable who said that he took up a position in unit 20 at the motel at 6.45 p.m. on April 5. Two hours later a motor vehicle pulled up outside. 'Hie door of the unit was opened with a key. The defendant entered, and walked straight to the television set. He sw’ept the menu cards and other literature W’hich was on top of the set on to the. floor. While the constable watched him from the back doorway, the defendant reached under the set and unplugged the power and aerial leads. He went to the front door, opened it, and looked around. When he saw no-one was watching be opened the left rear door of his vehicle. On returning to the tele-

vision set he tried to lift it up, but was unable to shift it. He then put the light on, and the constable, approached and told him that the set was bolted down. The defendant said that it was “a fair catch.” He said that he had bought the keys found in his possession from an unknown man in a hotel for $5O. His Honour told the defendant that burglary was a serious offence. If he appeared again on such an offence he w’ould not be treated so leniently, and could expect to go to prison. The courts were concerned about the theft of colour television sets. However, he would take into account Hancock’s probation report, which held out some hope for him.