Periodic detention for carpet theft

Press, 1 September 1982, Page 4

Periodic detention for carpet theft

A carpet layer earlier convicted of stealing carpet, vinyl, and underlay, to . a total value of $5292. was sentenced to eight months periodic detention by Judge Fraser in the District Court yesterday. Philip John Grant Sutton, aged 30 (Mr R. J. Murfitt) admitted stealing the items, the property of Reese Bros, Ltd., between August 1 and October 1. 1981.

The judge said it was “a deliberately planned theft for financial gain" and as such he found the probation service and counsel's suggestionof community service to be inappropriate. No order was made for the payment of compensation to the complainant firm. Earlier the police prosecutor said the rolls of carpet were intended for a North Canterbury tavern. The roll's were delivered to the warehouse of the complainant firm. Later they were missing or perhaps

mislaid and no action was taken. Late in July, this year, police received information about the missing rolls of carpet which were found in a Christchurch restaurant. The proprietor told the police he bought the carpet from the defendant. Sutton later explained that because he had been unable to obtain the rolls of carpet at staff rates from a person he knew in the trade, he had offered two associates $BOO to steal the four rolls for him. He was paid $l3OO for them by the proprietor and in ' turn on cashing the cheque, paid his two associates the promised $BOO.

The defendant claimed the $5OO he obtained was for use for his home. INCEST CHARGE

A man, aged 64, facing a charge of incest, was remanded on bail of $lOOO to September 15.

No plea was entered by the defendant, who. at the request of counsel (Mr D. J. Holderness). was granted interim suppression of his name. The defendant, a first offender, who will undergo a psychiatric examination during the remand period, is alleged to have committed the offence on August 23. INDECENCY CHARGE A charge of indecently assaulting a girl, aged 5, was denied by a contractor, aged 31. The defendant, at the request of counsel (Mr E. Bedo), was granted continued interim suppression of his name. . He was remanded to October 12 for a defended hearing. Bail was set at $2OOO with a surety of the same amount. The offence is alleged to have taken place on’ August 23. Bail was opposed.