Jail on drug counts

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 4

Jail on drug counts

Christopher Bernard Male.' aged 20. a roofer, w'ho was described b> Mr P. J. McAloon. S.M.. • as having continued to flirt with the drug scene, was jailed for four months when he appeared for sentence yesterday in 'he Magistrate's Court on drug and other offences. The defendant was appearing for sentence on one charge of using heroin, four .if possessing Class C drugs. Mie of possessing a needle tnd syringe, three of false iretence. and one of attempted false pretence. The defendant last week tad pleaded guilty to the' offences, and the police statement said he had admitted he was a heroin addict, ind. that he had committed the false pretences by presenting stolen cheques at city banks pecause he needed the money to support his drug habit. In submissions yesterdav an rhe defendant's behdf. counsel (Mr D. C. Fitz-i gibbon) said that from early childhood he had had problems with temperament, rejection. and frustration. He had turned to drugs r-s a supportive means from the considerable pressures upon him. Mr Fitzgibbon said the defendant was sincere in bis efforts to terminate his contacts with the drug world, and had kept up treatment for drug addiction. He sought a communitvbased sentence with 'he object of keening the defendant awav from drugs and drug addiction. The Magistrate said this was not the first time the. defendant had committed other crimes to maintain his drug habit. He appeared to lack sufficient motivation to rid himself of the habit. On the charges of possessing heroin, possessing a needle and svringe, false pretences and attempted false pr. fences the defendant was jailed for four months. He was jailed for two months, to be served concurrently. on the two charges of having Class C-controlled drugs. He was also sentenced to probation for a vear, following the prison sentence. POSSESSED CANNABIS A young man, who appeared for sentence vest-r--dav for his fifth cannabisrelated offence, was jailed for a month. The defendant, Joseph Richard Paynter, aged 11. had pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis on March 8. Cannabis material had b«m found by police in a search of his home. SHIRLEY THEFT An unemploved man. who while emploved on a Government relief scheme involving the nainting of the Shirley Community Centre, stole property from the centre, was convicted and fined $lOO Desmond Ralph Pycroft, | aged 25, admitted stealing paint, a drill, and a calculator, to a total value of $93. the property of the centre, on or about April 17. Sergeant M P. Caldwell, said on April 17 the complainant had reported to ’he police that several items had been stolen from the centre in the previous two weeks, Some of the property had since been recovered and comnensa'ion of $63 was sought, he said. Counsel (Mr D J. Taffs) said it was a rather tragic < S'e of theft. For three or four days his client had been working on his own a’ the community centre and there had been no problems. Pycroft had then been joined by another person i

'who was the co-offender. This person had started petty pilfering and it was then that the defendant mis-g-.idely had decided to help himself as well, said Mr Taffs. The defendant was extremely backward. He wa unable to read or write and ns a result of this disability • frequently lost jobs, Mr Faffs said. In addition to the fine Pycroft was ordered to pay compensation of $63. His co-offender, Reginald Anthony Jenson, aged 22. unemployed. who was .charged with stealing communitv centre property, worth $37 was remanded to July 12 for a defended hearing. DRUG CHARGES A 22-year-old seaman arrested following the seizure of the yacht Orinda near Westport, three months ago. was further remanded to June 26. The seamen is charged with importing heroin into New Zealand, near Karamea, on or about March 6: with using heroin on or about November 26. last tear, and with smokin'’ cannabis on March 1 !. The remand, in custody, was sought bv Sergeant C aidwell who said “a few problems had arisen." The seaman, whose name has been suppressed in the interim, was to have appeared for the taking of depositions yesterday. Counsel (Mr J. Cadenhead) indicated that he was applying for bail for his client in the Supreme Court yesteriday. CONVERTED BIKES A man who burgled a motor-cycle firm and converted two machines worth $4950. was convicted and remanded to June 19 for a probation report and sentence. Phillip Michael Robertson, a carpet layer, admitted the offences which took place between May 31 and June 1 He was allowed bail of $lOOO. Sergeant Caidwell said the burglary of the Manchester Street motor-cycle firm rei suited in two motor-cycles, valued at $4950, being j stolen. One of them, worth $3700. was found undamaged in the immediate locality of the shop while the other was found in the possession of one of the defendant's associates. When apprehended Robertson had said he had been drinking prior to the offence being committed, said Sergeant Caldwell About 1 a m. on June 1. he had gone for a walk and it was then that he had decided to break into the shop Sergeant Caldwell said Robertson had removed the $3700 machine, but on finding he was unable to start it. he had left it abandoned nearby. Robertson had then taken the $1250 motor-cycle which he had driven home. This had been damaged and the defendant admitted having had a collision with it. Compensation for the damage which had still to be assessed, would be sought from the defendant, said Sergent Caldwell. THEFT CHARGE An unemployed company director charged with theft bv failing to account was remanded on bail of $l5OO to June 19. Christopher Stephen de Vere, aged 32, did not plead : to the charge He is charged with receiving a boat, motor and trailer, valued al $5495. on I terms requiring him to sell it and lo pay $5OOO of the i proceeds to John Stephen (Savin and that by failing toi

Ido so he committed theft, j The alleged the r t was ; committed in Christchurch: on August 19. 1978. An application by counsel (Mr P. F. Whiteside) for interim suppression of his client's name was declined, b' - the Magistrate. DRUG CHARGES An unemployed shearer, who appeared on three drug charges, was remanded in custody without plea to June 19. I Michael O’Connell, aged :2t is charged with possessing a Class A-controlled drug — an amphetamine; with supplying a Class A-controlled drug; with the .possession of cannabis, leaf; ; and of escaping from the custody of a ! It is alleged the offences occurred in Christchurch on lune 7 and 8. (Before Mr F. G. Paterson, S.M.) WRONGLY GAINED Jack Bassite Tauwhare, I aged 24. a shoemaker (Mr E. I Eedo) was convicted on a | charge that between June 21 I and August 31 last year, for ‘ the purposes of misleading th” Department of Social (Welfare, he wilfullv omitted I to inform the department ; that he had obtained' employment, thereby contin-i ring to receive an unemployment benefit. Tauw here was sentenced Ito three months' periodic de- j itention. He had pleaded not ; guilty. Evidence was given that ! 'the defendant had continued; 'to receive unemployment cheques after beginning; Work at a footwear factory. He had also signed two; declarations of income say ■ ing he was unemployedl while he was in employ-; ment. The defendant, in evi-! idence, said he had notified, the department that he had; 1 begun employment. He had I ascertained that he was en-l titled to the benefit for the I (weeks from the time he first u made application and until I ' the payments began. He had received cheques' after notifying the depart-! ment and had cashed them. The Magistrate said he i was satisfied the defendant j did not notify the department during the neriod of! the offence. He received regular unemployment benefits and weekly wages, and kept; both, and made two progress j declarations that he was receiving no income. The defendant had clearly; profited "temporarily” by some hundreds of dollars the Magis.rate said. He made no, order for restitution because, he said, the amount involved was not clear to the Court ! as it had not been given in evidence. Sergeant K. Boyle said ($B5l bad been paid to the! defendant.