'Dog’s throat cut in burglary’

Press, 26 September 1980, Page 7

' Dog’s throat cut in burglary’

A man who took part ln| the burglary of a house ini Belfast in July, in which a small dog had its throat cut appeared before Judge Frampton in the District Court yesterday. But, said Senior-Sergeant R. A. Cook, both David Neil Kerr, aged 18, a labourer, and his alleged co-offender, yet to appear, blamed each other for the death of the little dog. Kerr, who admitted breaking and entering a house in Coutts Island Road on July 28, was convicted and remanded in custody to October 2 for a probation report and sentence.

Senior-Sergeant Cook said the defendant, and the alleged co-offender, broke into the house from where a watch and a calculator were stolen.

He said a Sydney Silkie dog at the home had its throat slit with a carving knife, but both Kerr and his associate denied killing the anmal. Kerr also . admitted and was convicted of an unrelated charge — that of stealing a $lBOO motor-cycle on September 7. THEFT OFFENCES

A woman, aged 50, who admitted and was convicted on five charges of theft as a servant had told the police

that she and her husband had financial problems and. that she had used the money! to help pay the bills. i The woman, a housewife, who was granted continued interim suppression of her name, admitted stealing vari-! ous sums of money, totalling $l7OO, from her employer between April and July this year.

Senior-Sergeant Cook said the woman had been employed by the complainant firm for four years as a clerk and her job had been connected with preparing wages.

Compensation of $l7OOl was sought. The defendant (Mrs D. Onehard), a first offender.

had expressed a willingness to repay the money. She was convicted and remanded to October 9 for a probation report and sentence.

CONVERTED BOAT :

Two young men, who admitted converting a $5OOO fibreglass boat, were con-! victed and remanded on bail to October 9 for a. probation j report and sentence. Kevin James Melhopt, ■ aged 20, unemployed, • and Wayne Stanley Odering, aged 21, a footwear worker, also admitted breaking and; entering the sea cadet Train- i ing Ship Cornwell at Red-|

cliffs, to which the 17ft (5.152 m boat belonged. Before committing the offences both m en had beer drinking. They found the boat on a landing adjacent to the training establishment and got some oars by breaking into the building, said; Senior Sergeant Cook. The pair then took the boat and rowed up the Estuary towards Heathcote. They abandoned the boat near the sewage ponds and; were apprehended walking not far away by a police patrol. At first both men denied the offence, saying they had been out setting rabbit traps.

t But. Senior Sergeant Cook said, they admitted ■ their part after a police dog had ■followed their tracks. < The boat was recovered, : he said. ■i BURGLARY CHARGE j David Tatana Nathan, aged 22, unemployed, j charged with breaking and ■| entering the Sullivan Avenue ■ premises of the Christchurch i Polytechnic early yesterday. ; was remanded in custody ■ until today. I No plea was entered and I bail was opposed by the . police. 4