‘Nazism not wanted’

Press, 22 June 1981, Page 11

‘Nazism not wanted’

PA Auckland A Judge in the District Court at Auckland told Norman Schwenke that the summary of his offences read like something out of books on gangsterism or Nazism. Schwenke. aged 19, unemployed. of Grey Lynn, had admitted two charges — demanding a jacket with menaces and disorderly behaviour. Judge Callander sentenced him to a year's imprisonment on the first charge, and 14 days on the second. He said Schwenke had ap-

proached another person at the Elton John concert in Western Springs last year, and threatened to kill him if he did not hand over his jacket. Schwenke had repeatedly hit the other person in the stomach as he took the jacket off. then challenged him to a fight to the death. "The set of facts is appalling." the Judge said. "It is the sort of set of facts that one reads about in books of gangsterism or Nazism — the sort of behaviour not to be tolerated in New Zealandsociety.”

He told Schwenke, "I hope i you consider your position because we do not want ! gangsters in this country.” j Referring to the charge of disorderly behaviour, the - Judge said Schwenke had : challenged an unknown s pedestrian to a fight in I Queen Street, in central Auckland. Defence counsel. Mr R. ; Chambers, said Schwenke : had told him he really ■ wanted a chance to go straight. Schwenke's prob- > lems arose from a gang I- association which he now emphatically wanted to end.