Youth’s offences involved $34,000

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 20

Youth’s offences involved $34,000

Borstal training was imposed on a youth when he appeared for sentence before Judge Paterson in the District Court yesterday on charges of burglary and receiving involving property to a total value of $34,000. The Judge told Wayne John Coster, aged 18, a gardener, that he would recommend a minimum of 12 months Borstal training. Coster had admitted a charge of burglary in July at the High Street premises of Kennetts Jewellers Ltd from where 108 rings to a total value of $26,000, were removed, none of which had been recovered. He also admitted receiving silverware, jewellery and antiques, to a total value of $8328, at Mosgiel on or about July 24. Of all this property only about $2O worth of jewellery had been recovered, the police prosecutor had told the Court.

Counsel (Mr P. H. B. Hall) said his client “clearly a disturbed youth,” had personally gained nothing from his involvement in either offence.

Of the burglary Mr Hall said Coster had only played a minor role, while on the receiving offence he had only had possession of the property for a very short time before he gave it back to the person who had committed the burglary at Mosgiel.

Surprisingly, in spite of his offending, Coster had held a job for the last two years, Mr Hall said. ESCAPERS Two men caught near Darfield after escaping from Sunnyside Hospital were remanded in custody to October 2.

Henry John Franklin, aged 19, a moulder, and Andrew Vermeeren, aged 19, unemployed, were both charged

with escaping from the custody of Sunnyside Hospital on Monday where both were undergoing psychiatric examinations.

Both men were represented by Mr H. R. W. Davidson.

Sergeant M. P. Caldwell said Sunnyside Hospital did not want” either defendant back.

Bail was opposed. No pleas were entered.

The two remand prisoners were recaptured near Darfield on Tuesday afternoon. They were found hitch-hik-ing after the allegedly stolen car, which they had used, went off the road and rolled down a bank.

Further charges were pending. INDECENCY CHARGES Donald Edward Pearcy, aged 25, a milkman, was remanded without plea to October 1 on two charges, of indecency and one of assault. It is alleged that on September 20, Pearcy indecently assaulted a woman, aged 34, and a boy, aged eight, and that to get away from the scene of the assaults he had also assaulted another person. Bail was allowed. REMAND Paul Martin Carroll, aged 21, an apprentice tool maker, was remanded without plea to October 20 on a charge of false pretence. It is alleged that earlier this month with intent to defraud the defendant obtained a colour television set, valued at $1364, by means of a false pretence. Sergeant Caldwell said 15 further charges would be laid against Carroll. Bail was set at $BOO. 21 CHARGES

A process worker, aged 23, convicted on 21 charges of false pretence involving property to a total value of $lBOO, was remanded in cus-

tody to October 1 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant Caldwell said Graham Bernard Richmond, who admitted the charges, committed the offences between August 27 and September 4.

The cheque book used had been reported stolen by the complainant. On September 16 a search warrant was executed on the defendant’s flat where property, valued at $962, was recovered.

Richmond (Mr P. M. James) claimed he had found the cheque book. He had told thepolice that he was out of work and had used the cheques to obtain food, clothing, footwear, jewellery, and a television set for himself and the girl with whom he was living, said Sergeant Caldwell. LSD CHARGE Ivan Mitchell Bidois, aged 27, a general hand, was remanded on bail of $lOOO to September 30 on a charge of possessing Lysergide (LSD) on Tuesday. No plea was entered. BURGLARY ADMITTED A seaman who admitted breaking into a souvenir shop at Lyttelton from where property, valued at $2243, was taken, was convicted and remanded on bail to October 8 for a probation report and sentence. Daniel Graham Hesp, aged 19, admitted breaking into the London Street premises of Shipside Souvenirs on September 8.

Sergeant G. C. Jones said Hesp had kicked the front door in and had taken out sheepskin rugs, stuffed animals, toys and jewellery to a total value of $2243.

During two days Hesp had received about $6OO from selling the stolen property in city hotels, said Sergeant Jones.

Goods worth $lOl had been recovered, he said.