Group ‘plundered’ cars

Press, 21 January 1982, Page 5

Group ‘plundered’ cars

A group of four young persons had operated in taking cars on a large scale, and “plundering" them for parts and contents, in Christchurch between December 22 and January 2. said Sergeant G. G. Cleland in the district Court yesterday. Two of the group allegedly involved, Michael Anthony James, aged 20, a labourer (Mr E. Bedo) and Paul Thomas Jordan, aged 17, unemployed (Ms E. Riddiford) admitted charges of unlawfully taking cars, and theft of car parts and property taken from cars, amounting to several thousand dollars. James admitted nine charges of unlawfully taking

charges of unlawfully taking cars, eight charges of theft of property and car components, and parts totalling more than $2OOO, and a charge of driving while disqualified.

Jordan admitted 14 charges of unlawfully taking cars, two of driving while disqualified, 13 charges of theft of property, car components and parts totalling more than $4OOO, a charge of having a drug — cannabis leaf — in his possession, and having in his possession a pistol, made from a doublebarrel shotgun cut down and adapted to be fired with one hand.

Many of the car conversion and theft offences were committed jointly. Judge Pain refused appli-

cations for bail on behalf of each defendant, and remanded each in custody to January 27 for probation reports and sentence. The Judge said both had been responsible for criminal activity on a substantial scale. Persons with such criminal proclivities in many cases forfeited their right to remain in the community. The nature of the offences called for a custodial sentence. He said James had shown earlier criminal propensity, and was a risk in the community. Jordan showed a criminal maturity beyond his age.

Sergeant Cleland, outlining the charges, said a large number of cars were reported taken in the city in late December, and special police patrols were instituted to combat the crimes.

The apprehension of a youth, aged 16. after a highspeed chase in a converted car led the police to the group comprising this youth and another 16-year-old and the two defendants.

They were believed to be responsible for the taking of at least 16 cars in the Ric-carton-Hornby area between December 22 and January 2. The two youths, aged 16. were to appear on charges in the Children and Young Persons Court.

Sergeant Cleland said that

in most cases a youth, aged 16. drove members of the group until they found a car which suited their requirements and they took it, using a master key. The vehicles taken were driven to the property of the mother of one of the group; property and parts were taken, and the petrol siphoned before the cars were taken away and dumped. Much of the property was destroyed, lost, or disposed of. Property which they were unable to sell was dumped.

Several bunches of car keys, including numerous Ford keys, were found in the garage at which they did the operation. Restitution for property not recovered would be sought in the sum of $l3ll from James, and $975 from Jordan, Sergeant Cleland said. PRISON ESCAPER An inmate who escaped from Paparua Prison yesterday morning and was at liberty for just over an hour before being apprehended with the aid of a police dog, admitted an escaping charge when he appeared in court in the afternoon. The defendant. Dean Anthony Martin, aged 22, was convicted and remanded in custody to today for sentence.

Sergeant G. C. Jones said the defendant escaped at 8.10

a.m. after having been in the prison exercise yard. He was seen in a gun club's grounds and at 9.15 a.m. u j as located in a school ground with the help of a police tracker dog. ESCAPE CHARGES A man serving a four-year prison sentence imposed in Palmerston North in December, 1980, for aggravated robbery, had an additional eight months improsonment imposed yesterday on three charges of escaping from the custody of Paparua Prison — on September 11, August 4. and October 16. He admitted the offences.

Counsel (Mr N. P. Chapman) said the escapes occurred because he was unsettled in Paparua Prison and had difficulty with a cell mate. He also wished to indulge his drug habit. The Judge said a deterrent sentence had to be imposed but he took into account that the defendant had not offended during his periods at liberty and no violence was involved in his escapes. He was already serving a long term in prison. INDECENCY CHARGE A man, aged 25, was remanded on bail to January 27, without plea, on a charge of indecently assaulting a boy under the age of 16 years on or about January 3. Interim suppression of his name was granted.