Damage to signal system alleged

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 4

Damage to signal system alleged

Two men were heard shouting encouragement to each other as they wrecked a railway warning signal system on the main trunk line south of Christchurch, said Sergeant C. J. Shannahan in the District Court yesterday. Gary Wayne Dillon, aged 20, and Christopher Desmond Goile, aged 21, both labourers (Mr R. B. Venning) were remanded to March 17 for probation reports and sentence. Both men admitted causing $460 worth of damage to the system. They also admitted and were each convicted on three further charges of stealing two road signs and two road-side-marking posts. Sergeant Shannahan said that in the early hours of February 24 both men left Burnham after drinking and playing cards. On the drive back to Christchurch ’ they stopped their vehicle and removed the various signs. At- the intersection of Johns Road and Curries Road they stopped at the railway crossing. ’ After failing to remove a flashing light the arm was pulled down and bent, the flashing lights were smashed.

I the systems wiring was torn 1 out and attempts were made 1 to remove the small reflector lights in the barrier arm. ■ Sergeant Shannahan said ! the absence of the warning system could have resulted in a fatal accident. Both defendants were said to have no previous convictions. In explanation both men said they had been drinking and that things "just happened,” he said. , Compensation was sought from both defendants. In remanding the pair for sentence, the Judge said the offence involving the railway warning signal carried a maximum sentence of 14 years. CHARGE DENIED A gardener , facing a charge of unlawfully having sexual intercourse with a F"~"

girl, aged 14 years 8 months, denied the alleged offence. The defendant, who was granted interim suppression of his name on the application of counsel (Mr T. K. ■ Quirk), was remanded on bail to April 26 for a defended hearing. The offence is alleged to have taken place about December 21, last year. NO PLEAS -No pleas were entered by a blade-shearer . who appeared on charges of unlawfully possessing a .22 pistol and possessing cannabis. Robert Douglas Wilkinson, aged 35 (Mr D. C. Fitzgibbon) was remanded on bail to March 10. The alleged offences occurred early yesterday. Gary Raymond Lingard, aged 28, an engineer, facing two charges of causing grievous bodily harm, was ' remanded to March 17. It is alleged that he caused grievous bodily harm to Mandy. Anne Taylor and David John Miles with reckless disregard for their safety. The offences are alleged to have taken place on February 25. INDECENCY CHARGE A man, aged 27, who is alleged to have indecently assaulted a woman, over the age of 16, was remanded without plea to March 10. Bail of $lOOO, with a surety of the same amount, was allowed the defendant who was granted interim suppres-sion-of his name. The Judge was told the defendant had a psychiatric background. The offence is alleged to have taken place on February 22. DRUG CHARGES Bail of $2OOO was set for a freezing worker who faces three drug charges. It is alleged that Gregg Richard Watson, aged 23, had possession of cannabis seeds, possession .of cannabis for sale or supply, and that he cultivated cannabis. The alleged three offences took place at Kaiapoi on March 2.

AMMUNITION A housewife charged with unlawfully possessing 41 rounds of .22 ammunition was remanded without plea to March 10. Maureen Rosalind Spence, aged 22. who is charged with committing the offence early yesterday, was allowed bail of $5OO.