Escapers admit offences

Press, 2 February 1982, Page 4

Escapers admit offences

Two men who escaped from Rolleston Prison on January 9 and committed several offences before their recapture after a bush search at Takaka, admitted the escaping and other offences when they appeared in the District Court yesterday. The defendants were Gregory Wayne' Armis'haw, aged 23, and Philip Alexander Hardy, aged 23, both unemployed.

The two, who were represented by Mr M. J. Glue, admitted joint charges of breaking and entering the general store of Hugh Brown, Ltd, at Dunsandel on or about January 9, and breaking and entering a dwelling owned by Owen Dudley Cridge at Lake Lyndon on January 12.

Each also admitted separate charges of escaping from Rolleston Prison on January 9, and unlawfully taking a utility vehicle owned by Burnett’s Construction, Ltd, in Ashburton, on January 13. Judge Frampton convicted the two defendants on all charges and remanded them in custody to February 8 for sentence.

Sergeant G. C. Jones said that after escaping from the prison the defendants made their way to Ashburton. On the way they broke into the general store in Dunsandel and stole clothing, boots and foodstuffs worth $2OO. They then drove to Takaka, breaking into a dwelling at Lake Lyndon and

stealing bedding and other items. They were seen by local police while driving around Takaka and were pursued, before making off into bush. When recaptured they admitted the offences and said they had only taken items necessary for a„ change of clothing and to make good their escape-. >, . . ■ v A ‘CURIO’ A man, who was fined for having unauthorised posses-' sion of a .22. cal. seven-shot revolver on January 25, was told by the Judge that he accepted there was no sinister motive involved. William Douglas Oldham, aged 34, an advertising agent (Mr M. J. Glue) admitted the offence, and was fined $75. Forfeiture of the revolver was ordered.

Sergeant Jones said the revolver was found in the glove box of the defendant’s car. He told the police it had been given to him by a friend six months before and that he intended giving it to a person who collected firearms, but the person subsequently died. The defendant told police the weapon was not capable of firing a shot, but a local gunsmith inspected it and said that only minor repairs were needed to restore it to working order.

Mr Glue said there was nothing sinister in the defendant’s possession of the weapon. It was an old weapon and as far as the defendant was concerned it was unserviceable. It was a curio.