Rape charge denied

Press, 25 August 1983, Page 4

Rape charge denied

Bail was set at $4OOO for a first offender charged with raping a woman in the city on Monday. The man, aged 39, who appeared before Judge Paterson in the District Court yesterday, was remanded to October 11 for the taking of depositions. In seeking interim suppression for his client, which was granted, counsel (Mr P. R. Rutledge), said the charge was “hotly” denied and that the circumstances of the alleged offence were “unusual.”

Sergeant J. E. Dwyer said bail was not opposed although a surety was sought. It appeared that the alleged offence arose out of a domestic background, he said.

The Judge set bail at $2OOO, with a surety of the same amount. He also obtained an assurance from the defendant that he would stay away from the complainant. INJURY CHARGE An Italian facing a charge of injuring a woman, with

intent, was remanded on bail of $lOOO to August 30. The defendant, aged 41 (Mr N. C. Davidson), is also charged with assaulting the woman. He did not plead. The police say the offences took place on Tuesday. Both the defendant, and the complainant, were granted suppression of their names. Mr Davidson said the offence had a domestic background. $5OO FINE The selling of a packet of cannabis, weighing 22.5 grams, to an undercover policeman in March, resulted in a painter being fined $5OO. Anthony Paul Rymer, aged 24 (Mr M. J. Glue), admitted the offence.

Sergeant Dwyer said on the afternoon of March 1 an undercover constable was taken by an associate to an address in St Albans where cannabis could be obtained.

The defendant had pulled a packet from a drawer, which he sold to the con-

stable for $BO, saying he needed some money. Initially Rymer denied the offence, but changed his plea yesterday. Mr’ Glue said Rymer claimed he had been given the cannabis for work done in papering a flat. He was not selling the drug as a business.

In fining the defendant, the Judge noted that Rymer had two previous cannabis convictions a couple of years ago. DRUG CHARGES

On charges of offering to supply a cannabis preparation, a class B controlled drug, on April 12, an unemployed woman was remanded in custody to August 31. Awhina April Barber, aged 18, is also charged with selling cannabis to a person over the age of 18, on March 21.

The police said both offences were committed in Wellington. No plea was entered by Barber, who was represented by the duty solicitor (Mr A. Garrett).