Prison for hotel assault

Press, 9 June 1982, Page 5

Prison for hotel assault

A man earlier convicted of assaulting a bar patron and causing $l5O worth of damage to glassware during a hotel brawl was sent to prison for five months by Judge Fogarty in the District Court vesterday.

Shane Piripi Turner, aged 28. unemployed, had admitted assaulting Alatise Lokeni Fonati Leiataua by punching, kicking and throwing glasses at him while he was on the floor. The victim had suffered extensive bruising and abrasions to his arms, face, head and body.

Turner had claimed the complainant had insulted his girl friend. He also said it had been a “fair fight." In sentencing Turner, who by choice was not legally represented, the Judge said it had been a, prolonged and quite violent assault. "You have no right to go around assaulting people like this." he said. Turner said he had only been out of prison for three months and although he had a long criminal history he was no longer associated with gangs other than in a social context. FURTHER REMAND

A man facing one charge of possessing pethedine. and another of possessing can-

nabis for sale or supply was further remanded to June 15. No plea was entered by John Peter Diggle. aged 23, unemployed. (Mr D. J. Taffs) who was remanded in custody .to June 15 after bail was opposed by Sergeant McCormick. BAIL OPPOSED Bail was "strongly" opposed when a man. aged 25. appeared on two charges of breaking into motel units in Merivale on Sunday. Donald Cameron Forrester. unemployed, was remanded in custody to June 15 without plea. It is alleged that Forrester (Mr D. C. Fitzgibbon) burgled two units in the Merivale Court Motels in Papanui Road.

Mr Fitzgibbon said July 29 had been set down for the taking of depositions. PERIODIC DETENTION A man who stole a $2300 motor-cycle in Gisborne and drove it to Christchurch was sentenced to periodic detention for four months.

Keith Ribbon, aged 21. unemployed (Mr B. H. Frampton) had admitted the offence which took place on May 17 His excuse to police when arrested was that ‘ he liked bikes.” .■

Mr Frampton said it had

not been a premeditated theft and that Ribbon was unable to account tor his actions. His own motor-cycle was in a repair shop in Gisborne at the time. f ln addition to periodic detention Ribbon was put on probation for 12 months.