Driver’s licence forged

Press, 21 December 1981, Page 4

Driver’s licence forged

PA Hamilton A laboratory technician and former traffic officer. Cerreti Peter Marin, aged 32. found guilty; of forging a driver's licence found in the possession of Peter Fulcher, was sentenced to 80 hours community service, when he appeared in. the District Court at Hamilton.

Judge Latham said he had considered jailing Mariu for three months. but it appeared that his wife was dependent on him because of her health, and it was desirable that Mariu be kept in the community.

Counsel. Mr P. R. Heath, had told the' Court that Marius wife suffered from severe asthma and had been in hospital recently. Mariu. who had been found guilty by a District Court jury’ on’ December 2. was ordered to pay $250 towards the cost of prosecution. Mr Heath said Mariu had been described by a Ministry of Transport officer as a “sensitive and intelligent man” whose work had been of a high standard.

A licence Mariu issued after a request to do so by a friend, found its way. to Fulcher, said Mr Heath. But there was no evidence

that Mariu knew that Fulcher would eventually get the licence, he said. The Judge said the Court must not "get carried away"' merely because the licence ended up in the hands of Fulcher. He accepted that Mariu

had no • connection with Fulcher./ .but it was quite clear that Mariu had abused his position ..as a traffic officer. Anarchy was just round the corner when law-enforce-ment officers ; could be bought, the Judge said.