'Mr Big’ description draws criticism

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 7

' Mr Big’ description draws criticism

The news media’s attach-u ment of labels such as “Mr c Big” to a company director appearing on a heroin im- 1 porting charge was criticised < by his counsel (Mr K. N. Hampton) in the District Court yesterday. ' i Mr Hampton asked what I] right certain sections of the 1 news media had to do this. I< It was, he said, “highly ji emotional and prejudicial”! 1 and could have an effect on • prospective jurors. ; I His client. Gary Arthur is Boote, aged 24, was reman-!’ ded without plea in custody 11 to April 22, 1 He is charged with im-| porting heroin—a class A-j’ controlled drug on April 31 i and with the importation of i a class B-controlled drug,; cocaine,’ between March 8 and : i April 11. p Mr Hampton said bail): would be sought in the High | ’ Court.' jl Judge F. G. Paterson said i he supported counsel’s re-| < marks about the news media |1 labelling of defendants. |’ ’.‘Any comment which can ■ be prejudicial is quite improper,” said Judge Paterson, who added, however, ' that the news media were not i on trial in the Court yesterday. ■ When Boote appeared in j Court on ..Saturday before! two Justices of Peace he was i

granted interim suppression ; of his name. Mr Hampton did not apply for the continuation yesterday. DEPOSITIONS Isaac Williams, aged 29, who faces a charge of supplying canpabis resin, a class B-controlled drug, to an undercover policeman was remanded on bail to June 5 for the taking of depositions. On a further charge of selling cannabis plant to the same undercover constable, Williams was remanded to the same date for a defended hearing. The two alleged offences were said to have occurred in August last year. THEFT OF CASH Shannon Waters, aged 18, unemployed, was convicted and fined $75 on a charge of stealing $275 in cash, the property of the Royal Hotel, i Nelson, on Sunday. I Waters, who admitted the [offence, was ordered to pay | $275 in compensation. She [was also put on probation for [ 12 months. Sergeant G. C. Jones said Waters had been in the guest lounge of the hotel on Sunday morning from where she : saw an office door left open, • She went into the office, [opened a desk drawer and itook out.a roll of notes. I The defendant and a corn-.

panion travelled to Christchurch where they were, stopped by police and asked about the theft. When apprehended Waters had $475 in her possession, said Sergeant Jones. RECEIVING ALLEGED A 20-year-old man, described on the charge sheet as a male prostitute, was remanded on bail without plea to April 21 on a charge of receiving. Derek Rongomate Martin Metuamate is charged with receiving $llO in cash, the property of the Royal Hotel, from Shannon Waters, on April 13. DAMAGE CHARGES No pleas were entered by Wayne John Bevin when he appeared on three charges of wilfully damaging property to a total value of $2126. Bevin, a paint mixer, aged 24. is charged with wilfully damaging a $llOO television set, the property of Dominion TV, Ltd; a table and a chair, valued at $55. the property of Wendy Louise Stevenson; and damage to a house, estimated at $971, the property of Nicola Christina Cresswell.

The alleged offences were said to have taken place on Supday. He was allowed bail and remanded to April 21.