‘Cop-hating’ motorist sent to prison

Press, 20 October 1981, Page 4

‘Cop-hating’ motorist sent to prison

A process worker who.’ after reversing, into a police car. said had he been driving a Kenworth truck he would have driven over the car because he "hated cops." was sent to jail for three months by Judge Frampton yesterday.

Appearing for sentence in the District Court was David Alan Butler, aged 25. who was earlier convicted of dangerous driving in Harper Avenue and in Riccarton Road, failing to stop to see if anyone had been hurt in an accident and of driving a vehicle without a current warrant of fitness.

As a result of the offences Butler caused $4OO worth of damage by deliberately driving into the rear of one car. and $3577 damage by reversing into a pursuing police car.

The offences took place on September 12.

In imposing the sentence the Judge said that when some persons charged with dangerous driving appeared before the courts they often protested by saying they were in charge and capable of driving at a particular time.

In the defendant's case the dangerous driving had been quite deliberate, said the Judge.

Without provocation Butler had driven into the rear Of one vehicle and had attempted to force a pursuing police car off the road before finally reversing into it.

As it was Hutters tnira and . fourth convictions for dangerous driving a custodial sentence was inevitable, he said.

In addition to the prison term Buller was put on probation for 12 months and was ordered to take treatment and counselling as directed.

He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver's licence for five years. Counsel (Mr Cameron) said the offending arose out of an argument with his wife over custody access to his son.

Because of her refusal Butler went completely "off the rails" and did some crazy things, he said.

Mr Cameron said Butler had a problem with alcohol, was under heavy financial pressure, and lost his temper easily. PERIODIC DETENTION Residential periodic detention for four months was imposed on a youth, aged 17, when he appeared for sentence on a charge of assaulting a boy, aged 14. who he

mistakenly believed was responsible for an attack on a girl friend. The Judge told Paul William Carson, a boat builder, that if he had been dealing solely with the offence itself a custodial sentence would have been imposed.

It was a serious, unprovoked assault, said the Judge. In addition he put Carson on probation for 12 months and said that he must live and work where directed. As a result of the assault the complainant suffered severe facial bruising, two chipped teeth, and was detained in hospital for two days.

Counsel (Mr D. H. Stringer) said what had set out as a punitive expedition had turned into something nastily violent. The assault was the result of mistaken identity on the part of the girl friend, he said. FRAUD A student of religion who admitted three charges of fraud, one of theft, and two of forgery, was convicted and remanded to November 3 for a probation report and sentence.

Sydney Rehuatai. aged 29 (Mr W. Rosenberg) had been

working at the Methodist mission and it was while cleaning up that he found a bag containing a cheque book and bankcard.

In Wellington. Rehuatai. a part-time community worker cashed three worthless cheques, in August and it was while attempting to cash another that he was apprehended, said Sergeant G. G. Cleland.

As a result of his offending .the defendant obtained $5OO in cash and compensation of this amount was sought, he said.

Mr Rosenberg said his client was a student and asked that sentencing be left to a date after November 10. THEFT CHARGES A man who is alleged to have stolen three bicycles, to a total value of $llBO, on September 17, was remanded on bail to November 9. No plea was entered by David Gordon Barnes, aged 30, a sickness beneficiary. DENIAL A taxi driver charged with pretending to be a police officer on October 7 at Lyttelton denied the alleged offence. Frederick Cecil Flynn, aged 46. was remanded on bail to November 16 for a defended hearing.