‘Senseless’ theft of lifeboat engine

Press, 10 February 1983, Page 5

‘Senseless’ theft of lifeboat engine

Stealing the engine of a lifeboat was a senseless act which could have had widely felt implications. Judge Paterson said in the District Court at Rangiora yesterday. He was sentencing Oliver Andrew Dawson, aged 22, unemployed (Mr J. Woods), to six months periodic dentention and 12 months probation on one charge of breaking and entering the Pegasus Surf Lifesaving Club with intent to commit a crime, and one of cultivating cannabis. Dawson had previously pleaded guilty to the charges. The Judge said that it was a serious burglary, and damage had been caused. He warned the defendant that if

he was not capable of knowing what emergency services meant he may well find out one day when he needed them himself. He ordered the defendant to pay $25 in restitution. . The Court heard earlier that Dawson and an accomplice had climbed on to the roof of the club and into the lookout tower of the surf club. They had broken through the locked trap door and gained entry to the first floor where they opened a door to the ground floor. Four wetsuits and the 25 horse-power motor, valued at $l5OO, were taken. While investigating the offence the police found two cannabis plants, 20cm high, at the defendant's address.