Goods worth $12,500 allegedly taken

Press, 8 June 1979, Page 11

Goods worth $12,500 allegedly taken

A young man, who was arrested by police in relation to a series of thefts and burglaries involving several thousand dollars worth of property, had a knife in his possession, which he allegedly told a detective he was carrying in case any police dogs came after him. This evidence was given in the Magistrate's Court yesterday during the hearing of depositions from witnesses against the defendant, Richard Graham Morgan, aged 20, unemployed (Mr E. B edo). The defendant pleaded not guilty to 10 charges, relating to offences allegedly committed between December and April. Messrs D. H. Hemsley and J. D. Diggs. Justices of the Peace, held there was a prima facie case to answer and remanded the defendant in custody for trial in the Supreme Court.

The charges which the defendant denied were two of breaking and entering dwellings, one of breaking into the Amuri Central Foodmarket, in Culverden, one of theft of a station waggon, one of unlawfully taking a car, one charge of cultivating cannabis, one of theft of a motor mower, and three charges of theft of car parts, accessories, car stereos a camera, clothing, and other items from cars. It is alleged that six of the offences were committed jointly with a flatmate. Mr Bedo called no evidence. Detective-Sergeant N. J. Higgison said the charges were laid after the police searched a house at Waikuku Beach and found a considerable amount of stolen property. Items included household goods, a colour television set, two cars, and parts and accessories from motor vehicles. Detective Constable S. J. Holly gave evidence of inter-

viewing the defendant after; arresting him. The defendant's statement outlined the circumstances of the alleged offences, which included the theft of a car which was stripped of parts, and another which was taken to use while the defendant’s own car was not in use.

In one burglary of a house in Russell Street the defendant’s statement allegedly said he and a companion worked through the night until 5 a.m., making more than one trip in his van to remove an entire household of goods, leaving only some bedclothes. Amongst the items said to have been taken were a freezer, double beds, coffee table, china and cutlery. The value of the household contents taken was said to be $6500. The value of other items listed in the various charges was more than $6OOO. In relation to the charge of cultivating four cannabis plants the defendant allegedly said that this was grown for the occupants’ own use. At a later appearance before Mr N. L. Bradford, S.M., the defendant was remanded in custody to August 2 on three charges. They were possession of an offensive weapon and a knife in Cranford Street on April 26, and receiving four wheels valued at $5OO, the property of Avon Motors, Ltd, on March 12, and having cannabis in his possession at Blenheim on April 7.

He denied the cannabis charge, but admitted the other two charges. (Before Mr N. L. Bradford, S.M.) THEFT CHARGE An unemployed man charged with stealing $312 in cash from a city shop on June 1 was remanded without plea to June 14. Tana Michael Panapa,

aged 22. is alleged to have stolen the money from the E.M.I. Record Shop in Cashel Street.

He was allowed bail of $BOO. BURGLARY OFFENCE

A groundsman, aged 17, was remanded on bail of $750 to June 14 for a probation report and sentence following his conviction on a charge of burglary. Michael Andrew Stewart admitted breaking into the premises of the Southern Ballet Theatre in Worcester Sti .at on May 30. Sergeant G. C. Jones said at 7.30 p.m. that day the defendant had left his weight-training class and had entered the theatre where in a cloakroom he had gone through several coat pockets looking for money. He had found a leather jacket which he liked, but was then disturbed by a member of the ballet company. Sergeant Jones said the defendant had run off to the women’s toilets where he was found. The defendant also pleaded guilty to a charge of discharging a rifle in a manner likely to endanger property at Whisky Creek on January 20. Sergeant Jones said the defendant and a friend had been staying in a bach at Lake Clearwater at the time. The defendant and his friend had gone to Whisky Creek where he had fired a number of shot at a stationary tractor, doing damage to its engine. In explanation the defendant had told the police he had become carried away and had later expressed remorse for his actions.

In remanding the defendant to next Thursday the Magistrate made a special condition that he remain at home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.