Three refused to leave church

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 7

Three refused to leave church

Nelson reporter A woman and her daughter and grand-daugh-ter were convicted and given nine months suspended sentences by Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M., in the Nelson Magistrate’s Court on charges of trespassing. Clarice Harrison, aged 63, a housewife, her daughter, Janice Dehn, aged 39, a housewife, and her gran d-daughter, Angela Janice Dehn, aged 17, a typist, each pleaded 'not guilty to charges that on November 18 they trespassed at the Seventh Day Adventists Church, Nelson, by refusing to leave the church when ordered to do so. Evidence was given that because of disruptions within the church caused by the three, the church had held a meeting and as a result letters were written to each of them asking them not to attend.

On November 18 they arrived at the church and would not leave when ordered to do so by church elders. The police were called and when they refused to leave when asked to do so by the police, they were arrested. The three said the church was using the Trespass Act to expel I them. They had disagreed with some of the church’s doctrines and had “given witness” to their beliefs at . the church. They felt that since God’s law was to be ' obeyed in preference to . man’s, they were justified ; in trying to gain admission to honour God. The Magistrate ■ said his jurisdication ended with the laws passed by Parliament. He said he felt they ' were all sincere in their j beliefs, but the evidence I disclosed that they were ; trespassing and had re- I fused to leave when lawfully asked to go. I