Impressing a male friend—l6 charges

Press, 31 August 1977, Page 4

Impressing a male friend—l6 charges

A 23-year-old former nurse receptionist pleaded guilty to 16 charges of false pretence involving more than SIOOO worth of goods and services when she appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Susan Irene Louise Cooper, whose excuse for her offences was that she “wanted to impress a male friend,” was remanded to September 6 for sentence by Mr F. G. Paterson, S.M. The Magistrate at first said he was not inclined to grant bail for what was blatant offending, especially as it followed four previous convictions for dishonesty, but later in the morning he allowed the defendant bail. When Cooper first appeared in Court last week she was remanded in custody to yesterday because of what her counsel (Mr D. I. Jones) referred to as "a misunderstanding.” It was said at the time that the offences were committed while the defendant was on bail and this was incorrect, he claimed. The offences, which involved the purchase of clothing, cosmetics, groceries, air travel, a rental car, and accommodation, were committed in Christchurch, Auckland, and Dunedin. Sergeant A. R. Bleakley said that on July 28 Cooper opened a bank account with a deposit of $B7 and then issued cheques to a total value of $714. She told the police she had used the money to “impress a male friend.” She then opened an account in another bank with a deposit of $7O and again issued cheques in excess of lodgements to a total of $436. Sergeant Bleakley said that restitution sought by the, first bank was $464 and by; the second, $323. Cooper was allowed bail of $5OO, with two sureties each of $5OO. ESCAPER REMANDED An Australian who escaped from Paparua prison on August 19 appeared handcuffed when he faced the Magistrate in Court yesterday. Noel lan Parsell, aged 25, was remanded in custody without plea to September 6. He was charged with escaping from the penal institution

in which he was lawfully detained. Eliza Reriti, aged 22, was also remanded to the same date when she appeared charged with assisting Parsell to avoid arrest. Parsell was recaptured about 9.30 p.m. on Monday at the flat occupied by Reriti. ASSAULTED POLICE A railways labourer who was charged with assaulting and of resisting a police constable in the execution of his duty was convicted and remanded to September 6 for a probation officer’s report and sentence.

John Philip Robinson, aged 22, pleaded guilty to both charges which occurred on the night of August 22. Sergeant Bleakley said that on the night in question police attended a fight in the public bar at the Gresham Hotel, Cashel Street. The defendant and the licensee were arguing, and Robinson was asked to leave the premises. Outside, he began to shout and argue with the police. After he used bad language, Robinson was arrested.

It was then, said Sergeant Bleakley, that the defendant began to struggle and punch the police. At the tiuie, the sergeant added, the defendant wa s affected by liquor. RELEASED ON BAIL

A 25-year-old painter who was charged with threatening to kill a man on August 15, was released on bail after having been in custody for the last week.

No plea was entered by Leslie Charles Montgomery, who was also charged with attempting to present an air pistol at the same man which, in the circumstances, was likely to lead him to believe it to be a firearm.

Counsel (Mr M. G. L. Loughnan) sought a week’s remand for his client, tof ether with his release on ail. He said that the defendant would be living with i his parents. The police did I not object to bail. | On both charges the Maj gistrate remanded Mont■gomery to September 6 on 'bail of $250 and a surety of I ! $250. He was also directed ito attend the Mahu clinic at I Sunnyside Hospital daily and

to have no contact with the complainant. Before Mr J. S. Bisphan S.M. “UTTER LAWLESSNESS” “This is a disgraceful piece of behaviour of utter lawlessness,” said the Magistrate, when sentencing Mark Hallam Johnston, aged 24, on two charges of wilful damage. The charges related to August 8 when, with another man, Johnston kicked several cars with his steelcapped boots, causing $7OO damage to one car. Johnston, who also faced charges of theft, forger,-, and driving while disqualified, was sentenced to six months imprisonment. He was also ordered to make restitution of $250. On the forgery and theft charges he was sentenced to three months imprisonment, all the terins to be served concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for a further nine months.