'Preacher' on violin damage charge

Press, 15 July 1982, Page 4

'Preacher' on violin damage charge

A woman described as a "preacher” said in the District Court yesterday that she did not wish to plead to a' charge of intentionally damaging the Bible Lady's violin. Petra Kendall, aged 28, asked Judge Frampton if she could address the counsel for the complainant. "You may not." replied the Judge.

He told Kendall that as she was not prepared to enter a plea, he would enter a "not guilty" plea on her behalf. Kendall was remanded to July 19 for a defended hearing' She is alleged to have intentionally damaged the violin, the property of Mrs Rene Stanton during an incident in Cathedral Square on Tuesday. FURTHER REMAND A man chargedwith raping a woman, aged 18, in Victoria Park on July 6 was further remanded to July 27. Counsel (Mr S. G. Ba’rker) for the defendant, who was granted continued interim suppression of his name, sought the two-week remand so, that a psychiatric report could be obtained on his client. GRASS DAMAGE

An unemployed mechanic convicted of . intentionally damaging a grassed area, the property of the University of Canterbury, was said by his

counsel (Mr N. J. Dunlop) to have driven on the grass “out of a sense of fun." Duncan Hay McCormack, aged 20, who admitted the offence, which took place on May 14, was fined $75 and ordered to pav compensation of $lOO. Sergeant M. P. Caldwell said that the offence, which took place at 2 a.m., was observed by two security officers. McCormack’s vehicle began doing “wheelies” on the grass cutting tracks to a depth of 4in (10cm). When spoken to by police the defendant had denied the offence. DRUGS A man found with a pair of scales in his car. which on analysis showed traces of heroin, told the police that he had borrowed them so that his girl friend could make a sponge cake. Peter Reginald Voice, aged 24. unemployed (Mr E. Bedo) admitted two charges of possessing needles and syringes, one pair of scales, for the commission of an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act. possessing cannabis. and the possession of morphine. The offences took place last week. He was convicted and remanded on bail of $l5OO to July 28 for a probation report. and sentence. An assessment will also be made into Voice's drug ad-

diction. Sergeant Caldwell said the scales were found when the police stopped the defendant in his car. He later denied any knowledge of the scales being used in connection with heroin. During a search of the defendants bedroom 14.9 grams of cannabis and a needle and syringe : were found. Another needle and syringe were found in the garage. During a search at another address, where the defendant was. a gram sachet of morphine powder was found concealed in his sock. Voice said the morphine was given to him as part of i debt and was for his owr use. CUSTODY Bail was opposed by the police for a man facing one' charge of burglary, and another of assault. Sergeant Caldwell said the defendant. Mark Huia Bain, aged 22, claimed he was a heroin addict who needed $2OO a day to sustain his habit. Were he to be granted bail it was likely he would reoffend to support his addiction, said Sergeant Caldwell. Bain was remanded in custody to July 21. It is alleged he burgled a house in Ashdale Lane and that he assaulted Gavin Vernon Garlick. No pleas were entered.