Burglary offences involved $45,245

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 4

Burglary offences involved $45,245

-> A man earlier convicted ,of two burglaries involving cash and . property amounting tp ?45,245 was • yesterday committed in custody to the High Court for sentence. Because of the magnitude of the offences and his criminal record, Judge Fraser told Bernard Gerrard de Hair, aged 26, a carver, that he was declining jurisdiction. The Judge said de Hair had earlier convictions for burglary and the latest, offences were committed within days of his release from prison. Earlier de Hair had admitted burgling the Cranford Street Post Office by using gas cutting gear stolen the same night from Westminster Motors, Ltd. The Post Office safe, which was opened with the cutting gear, contained $44,295 in . cash, and $3ll in cheques. Damage to the safe and its contents amounted to $3OOO and compensation of this amount had been sought. Although there were other alleged co-offenders to both crimes they have not been apprehended aS de Hair had declined to name them. Counsel (Mr G. E. Langham) said the courts had to accept that crime in New Zealand had reached a stage where criminals behind bars still exerted considerable influence outside prison walls. While in prison de Hair had accepted financial assistance and help for his de facto wife and child. Mr Langham said later that such favours were “called up” and he noted it was only six days after his release from prison that his client was involved in the two serious burglaries. He submitted that they were carefully planned and

well executed and that de Hair would not have had sufficient time for such preparation. ■ De Hair, who understood that he was facing a tern} of imprisonment, had got himself caught up on the outskirts of big-time crime, Mr Langham said. ‘BIRD FEED’ An American serviceman found in possession of 4500 cannabis seeds told the police he was feeding them to his pet cockatiel. Michael Allan Brown, aged 30, who admitted possessing the seeds and a pipe used for the commission of an offence against the Misuse of Drugs Act, was convicted and fined $lOO. Sergeant C. J. Cole said that when police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s address they found the seeds and the pipe. The defendant said the seeds were not for his own use or to supply others but that he fed them to his /'‘Aplrat’ip] Counsel (Mr A. W. Robinson) said although it might seem a tall tale it was true. His client had a pet cockatiel. Over a period of time the seeds had accumulated. They were .not concealed and were fed to the bird by his client, said Mr Robinson. There was no suggestion that Brown intended to use them for cultivation, he said. BURGLARY A man who admitted burgling a house in Opawa Road twice last month told the police that he had done so to get his own back on the complainant whom he did not like. Michael Andrew Stewart, aged 19, a painter, was convicted and remanded to November 5 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant Cole said Stewart

(Mr C. D. Eason) had entered the property on September 9 and 21 by forcing a. washhouse window. On the first occasion he took a tape deck, valued at $395. On the second occasion the defendant took an amplifier and turntable valued at $2400, and damaged the speakers. He later sold the amplifier and turntable to a friend for $4OO. Compensation of $2795 was sought from Stewart, said Sergeant Cole. RECEIVING CHARGE A labourer charged with receiving a quantity of carpet, valued at $5980, was further remanded to November 3. Barry lan Cameron, aged 26, who is alleged to have committed the offence on October 13, did not plead. His bail of $l5OO was continued. DEPOSITIONS Neville John Mason, aged 36 (Mr E. Bedo) was remanded to November 23 for the taking of depositions on one charge of burglary and another of threatening to kill. On a charge of wilfully damaging clothing and effects at an address in Kinross Street on August 19 Mason pleaded guilty and was remanded to the same date for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant Cole, said that at 2.35 p.m. on August 19 the defendant became involved in an argument with his de facto wife who left the place. Mason took a knife and cut curtains and a sleeping bag before pouring a chemical cleaner on clothing and over the carpets. Mason claimed that he committed the offence out of frustration. Compensation of $l5OO was sought in respect of damage, said Sergeant Cole.