Fish theft blamed on pyramid loss

Press, 23 July 1980, Page 5

Fish theft blamed on pyramid loss

PA Auckland An Auckland man took 325 kg of fish becuase he needed money after losing $lOOO in a pyramid game, the District Court at Papakura has been told. Alan Wayne Smith, i aged 24, a roofer, of i Green Lane, appeared 1 before Judge K. H. Mason, I charged with burglary. ! Brian Sydney Allan Pani ther, aged 23, a panelbea- < tec’s labourer, of Mangere, I appeared with Smith on 1 the same charge. Sergeant A. W. Tremewan told the court that on July 13 at 2.45 a.m. Smith and Panther went to Fish Cutters Market, cut the padlock of a freezer and took 325 kg of packaged fish. When they were stopped a short time later Smith said he had taken the fish because he needed money after losing $lOOO in a pyramid game. Both men pleaded guilty. Smith was convicted and remanded to August 4 for sentencing. He was released on $5OO bail. Panther appeared on a further charge of the burglary of $4OOO worth of goods from Henry Berry, Ltd, Panmure, on May 28. After smashing a window to get inside the firm’s premises, Panther and one of his two asso- ■ ciates had loaded goods .into a van. They drove to Manurewa, where the stolen property was unloaded in a neighbour’s garage.

Sergeant Tremewan said that when questioned on May 29, Panther had ad-mitted-the burglary. Panther was remanded in custody on both charges to August 4 for sentencing.