Burglar used dinghy

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 5

Burglar used dinghy

A youth who rowed out to two moored ships in Akaroa and broke into them, and later broke into the Akaroa Service Station, Beach Road, admitted three charges of breaking and entering when he appeared before Judge Palmer in the District Court yesterday. The defendant, Carl Andrew Baker, aged 17, unemployed, pleaded guilty to breaking into the service station, and breaking into the ships Awatea and Irish Mist at Daley’s Wharf moorings in Akaroa on January 14. He was' convicted on all charges and remanded on bail to February 11 for a probation report and sentence.

Sergeant G. G. Cleland said that a short time after

midnight on January 14 the defendant and an associate took a dinghy which was tied up at the wharf and rowed out to the Awatea:

A hatch was forced open to gain entry, and property taken, included a fire extinguisher. They then rowed to the Irish Mist and forced open a cabin door, taking two fire extinguishers; his companion took a radio telephone. After rowing back to shore they took the property back to where they were camped.

At 4.30 a.m. that morning Akaroa police received a report that two persons were seen breaking into the service station. Property valued at $317, including a chain saw, was found to have been taken.

The defendant later went to the police station and admitted the burglaries, and said he had been hungry and wanted something to eat

Restitution of the' defendant's share — $659 of the property stolen, and damage caused in gaining entry to the Irish Mist, was sought.

Counsel (Miss J. McArtney) sought bail, saying that the defendant’s lack of employment had been the reason for his recent offending. However, he had a job starting today,

The Judge proposed a remand in custody, but after asking Miss McArtney to verify the job he had available, granted bail of $BOO, with a similar surety.