Custody remand for Jorgensen

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 5

Custody remand for Jorgensen

In view of the announcement by the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay). recalling Ronald John Jorgensen to prison from life parole, an application for bail at this time was “purely academic." said Sergeant G. G. Cleland in the District Court yesterday.

Agreeing that it would be "unrealistic” to grant bail, Judge Paterson remanded Jorgensen in custody to June 10.

Jorgensen, aged 49. described as an artist (Mr D. C. Fitzgibbon) is charged with assaulting Charles William Richard Hands, aged 67. at Kaikoura on or about May 26.

Applying for bail Mr Fitzgibbon said that neither Jorgensen nor himself had been officially told of the recall from parole back to prison.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he had learned of the recall by way of a radio report talking with his client in the cells at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Jorgensen, he said, “certainly" would defend the charge. If a plea was to be entered the defendant would elect trial by jury.

Counter claims had been made by his client alleging severe verbal provocation during which he had been called "a murderer." "a parasite." and that he should be kept in prison, said Mr Fitzgibbon. Jorgensen. he said, claimed he had been assaulted after being spaf in the face.

Mr Fitzgibbon said his client voluntarily went to the police in Kaikoura. Mr Fitzgibbon submitted that were it not for the news media attention to Jorgensen. any other person facing the same charge would almost certainly be granted bail.

If bail was granted substantial sureties were available. Jorgensen had substantial land holdings he could offer as surety while one person in the courtroom was prepared to put up "heavy" sureties. Mr Fitzgibbon said. Also, with the greatest respect, said counsel, Mr McLay’s writ did not run in the District Court and had yet to be officially confirmed.

Jorgensen was unlikely to reoffend while on bail. If granted, Jorgensen would return to Kaikoura to live with his 87-year-old father.

"The court in my submissions ought to grant him bail, albeit with stringent terms and many substantial sureties." said Mr Fitzgibbon. Opposing bail Sergeant Cleland said Jorgensen was charged with assaulting a retired man, aged 67, a resident of Kaikoura. who was still in hospital. The defendant's allegation that the complainant started the alleged assault was not supported by police evidence, he said. Kaikoura was a small community and further inquiries had yet to be made.

It was not known whether the present charge would be the only one laid against the defendant, or whether one of a more serious nature might follow.

If released on bail Jorgensen could well impede the inquiries, said Sergeant Cleland. CAR THEFT ■ A youth who stole a car. valued at $4OOO, told the police that earlier his own car had been stolen and the mag wheels removed, said Sergeant Cleland.

Trevor Alexander Cook, aged 17, a fitter, admitted and was convicted of stealing the car. the. property of Steven Russell Marshall, at Rangiora on May 22.

Cook, a first offender, was remanded on bail to June 17 for a probation report and sentence.

Sergeant Cleland said that at 9 p.m. on May 22 the complainant reported to the police that his car had been stolen from the Woodend Hotel car park.

When later recovered on the north bank of the Ashley River, four mag wheels, a car radio and speakers, and four sheepskin rugs had been removed. There was also substantial damage to the exterior panelling. When questioned by the police the defendant said it was a spur of the moment offence. He had used the keys for his own vehicle wnich was a similar model.

Sergeant Cleland said a cooffender was being sought. The amount of compensation sought was not available, he said. ■ CAT HIT HOUSE A man. who was refused permission to see his children by his separated wife, picked up the family cat by

its tail and hit it against the side of the house, said Sergeant Cleland. Peter Te Hau. aged 42. unemployed, admitted breaching a non-molestation order on June 1. He was convicted and remanded at large to June 17 for a probation report and sentence.

Sergeant Cleland said the order was made to the District Court in March. In recent weeks, the defendant had made several visits to the family home usually late at night and when intoxicated.

At 10.10 p.m. on June 1 he had gone round, demanded to see his children, and when refused had picked up the family cat and hit it against the side of the house. The wife and children had sought refuge at a neighbour’s.

It was later revealed that the defendant had not sought access to the children in the separation agreement, said Sergeant Cleland. PRISON ESCAPE A man. aged 24. who' on the spur of the moment escaped from Paparua Prison to see his former girl friend about a possible reconciliation. had three months'added on to his existing prison term. Edward Alexander Gibson admitted escaping from a work party at the prison farm at 9 a.m. after asking if he could be excused to go to the toilet.

Sergeant W. J. McCormick said Gibson had run off across paddocks. He was arrested about 30 minutes later at the intersection of Buchanans and the Old West Coast roads.

The duty solicitor (Mr N. C. Chapman) said there was a child by the couple's relationship. Although this relationship had been broken off. Gibson had been led to understand that a reconciliation was possible. Although he had written to the girl, no replies had been received and Gibson, on impulse. decided to go and find her to clarify matters, said Mr Chapman. Gibson was serving nine months and was due for release in December.

NO PLEA A woman serving a life sentence for murder at the Paparua Women's Prison,

who escaped on Wednesday, was remanded in custody without plea to June 17 after being . caught yesterday morning in the Botanic Gardens.

W’ikitoria Hauiti. aged 25. sought a remand to Sunnyside Hospital for a psychiatric examination, said the duty solicitor (Mr Chapman). This was opposed by Sergeant McCormick who suggested that such a remand would-only allow the defendant to escape more easily. The Judge said a psychiatric assessment was not being denied but he felt that the defendant, who had been in prison for several years, would have already had her medical and mental states assessed in that time.