Escaper committed 21 offences

Press, 20 January 1982, Page 5

Escaper committed 21 offences

A prisoner who wrote to the Ombudsman while at liberty for a month after escaping from Paparua Prison on October 23 had a further year’s imprisonment added yesterday to the twoyear term he is currently serving.

The additional year's term was imposed by judge Pain in the District Court on Mark Allan Kahui, aged 22, on the escaping charge and on 21 other offences committed on the West Coast and in Canterbury while he was at large. They comprise 13 burglaries of dwellings and of the Reefton Golf Club's rooms, six charges of unlawfully taking cars, one of unlawfully getting into a car. and one of unlawfully taking a bicvcle.

He had previously pleaded guilty to the offences, and was appearing for sentence yesterday.

His counsel (Mr R. J. McMurtrie) submitted in mitigation of penalty that the defendant had escaped from Paparua Prison because of his frustration at being transferred there, and separated from his family in the North Island. He had written to the Ombudsman during his month on the run to see if he could be transferred. The offences which he committed while at large had been genuinely to keep body and soul together. They were mostly to obtain necessities.

The Judge said he took into account that the defendant might have served his term without escaping, but for his transfer. However, a sentence had to be imposed which would deter the defendant and others from the serious crime of escaping from institutions. Rex lan Wysocki, aged 33. a prison inmate, was remanded in custody to January 26 for sentencing, after being convicted on a charge of escaping from Paparua Prison on December 21. One month before his escape he was transferred to Paparua Prison from Paremoremo Prison. Sergeant G. G. Cleland told the Court.

He was employed in the kitchen area at Paparua. While working there he used a meat saw to saw through rafters in the kitchen block and escape.

He was later seen near the Yaidhurst Hotel on the West Coast Road.

Wysocki was serving an eight-year prison sentence for aggravated robbery and had been due for release on September 1. 1985. or in September, 1983. with remission.

He has a previous conviction for escaping from a penal institution. Wysocki gave as an explanation for his escape the fact that he did not get on with the outer inmates. Counsel (Mr D. J. Taffs) asked for a probation report before sentencing.

CHASE Wayne Barry Keen, aged 24. admitted charges of being a rogue and vagabond by being found in an enclosed yard of a private house in Tilford Street, assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty, and driving through a number of city streets at a speed which might have been dangerous.

He was convicted and remanded on bail to February 2 for sentence.

Sergeant G. G. Cleland said the rogue and vagabond charge related to the defendant's being found in a back yard after throwing clods of dirt at a female who was taking washing off a line. He made off over fences.

The other charges, relating to December 30. followed the defendant's car overtaking a police patrol car at 85km/h. It was pursued and at times reached lOOkm/h. and travelled twice in the wrong direction along the one way systems at speed, and through five intersections with red traffic lights showing.

Numerous accidents were narrowly avoided. Sergeant Cleland said.

After the driving incident the defendant was later seen to run out of cover, and struck a searching constable with a 4ft piece of wood. THEFT. CONVERSION On two charges of unlawfully converting cars, and three charges of theft of property totalling $2159 including $2034 worth from the

two cars which she took — Marea Lee Sharp, aged 18. a temporary postwoman, was convicted and remanded on bail to February 2 for sentence.

The defendant admitted the five charges, which were allegedly committed jointly with a female accomplice.

One of the cars taken belonged to Angela Susan Woodhouse and property stolen from this, worth $1642. included jewellery, a watch, radio cassette and speakers, cassette tapes, perfume, and $lOO cash.

The other car belonged to Andrew Tiwha Ruruku and a radio cassette, wallet, cash, cassette tapes, and sunglasses were taken from this vehicle.

Property worth $942 was recovered from the two girls. INDECENCY CHARGE

A man. aged 60. denied a charge of permitting a boy, aged four, to do an indecent act on him on December 13. He was remanded on bail to March 12 for a fixture. Interim suppression of his name was continued. THEFT CLAIM

On a charge of theft of $lB7B while employed by R. G. Bell and Company, Ltd, between May 13 and November 22. 1981. lan Andrew Mcßae, aged 18. a shop assistant. was remanded on bail, without plea, to January 26.

His counsel (Mr D. H. Stringer) said the defendant admitted to taking about $BOO but not' the amount charged. ■ / ARREST WARRANT . A warrant was issued for the arrest of Robert John Hodges, aged 22, a painter, who failed to appear for sentence on charges of unlawfully taking a car owned by Graham William Forsythe, driving while disqualified. and assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty. The arrest warrant, and certification of the defendant's bail bond, were sought by Sergeant G. C. Jones, and' granted. The Judge said the defendant had not reported to police while on bail. PROBATION A solo mother, Linda May Randall, aged 23, was placed on probation for 18 months for her part in the burglary of the New City Hotel after booking in as a guest, last month.

She was appearing for sentence, after being convicted, on her plea of guilty. A sum of $172 in change and banknotes was taken from the hotel office.

She was jointly charged with the burglary with a man. aged 20. who has denied the charge.

Mr Glue asked that the recommendation for probation be adhered to. . He said the defendant had been affected by liquor at the time. He also’ referred to other mitigating factors including the “traumatic" loss of a young daughter. SUSPENDED SENTENCE Douglas Ayson Bain, aged 49 a freezing worker (Miss F. Bolwell) was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within a year if called upon, on charges of threatening to kill his wife, assaulting his daughter, and wilful damage of $lOO to two windows at a property of lan Renwick on January 11. He admitted all threecharges. Special terms of the suspended sentence are that he comply with conditions imposed for treatment for alcoholism. (Before Judge Bradford) INDECENT ASSAULT A man • convicted in the District Court last month on a charge of indecently assaulting a girl, aged 11. was yesterday fined $250 and placed on probation for two years.

The man. aged 22. was appearing for sentence on a charge of indecently assaulting the girl while he was babysitting her. along with younger members of her

family on the evening of September 18. '«■

The mother of the children was at a hotel . with the defendant's wife Tphen .the offence took place.

In submissions for a final suppression of name, counsel (Mr K. .N. Hampton) highlighted the defendant's remarkable achievements given the number of adverse features outlined in the reports of the psychiatrist and the probation officer. Mr Hampton said the defendant lived in fear of reprisals and had already had one attack on his house in which a bottle had been thrown.

The Judge, when imposing sentence, referred to the defendant's frank dealings with the authdrities during which he had made no effort to justify his behaviour as merely, horseplay between himself and the child.

Although the crime was a serious one. the Judge said,it was not the case of a man who went prowling around looking for an innocent child to molest indecently. A specific condition of the probation imposed was that the defendant take counselling as directed by the probation officer.

Final suppression of the defendant's name was made, largely because of future rehabilitation. •