Judge admonishes youth

Press, 27 September 1983, Page 6

Judge admonishes youth

A youth was told by Judge Paterson that some better regimentation in his life was called for following his appearance in the District Court yesterday for two “aggressive acts.”

A sentence of three months residential perodic detention was imposed on Mark Andrew Maddock, aged 17, unemployed. He was also placed on probation for a year. Maddock appeared for sentencing on a charge of assaulting William James Hadley on April 5, and pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of unlawfully possessing a knife on August 9 in circumstances which showed, prime facie, an intention to use it to commit

an offence involving fear or violence.

He had been found guilty of the assault charge after a defended hearing.

Evidence was that he had approached the off-duty constable in the constable’s driveway and threatened him, but was restrained and told he was under arrest.

Sergeant J. E. Dwyer, who prosecuted, said yesterday in relation to the weapons charge that the defendant had gone to the complainant’s house in an attempt to help a friend move out some personal belongings which had been left there.

An argument developed and the complainant saw

the defendant grasp a knife which he had in the waistband of his trousers. The complainant warned the defendant not to do anything more and the defendant then left. No damage or injury was caused.

The defendant told the police that he had the knife to scare off attackers. He never intended to harm anybody with it. Defence counsel (Mr K. J. Grave) said the defendant was very drunk at the time, and remembered nothing of the assault.

There had been no bodily contact in the assault and no injury ensued. In relation to the weapons offence, Mr Grave said the

defendant had unwisely carried the knife to protect himself. He knew the risk involved.

Mr Grave sought a term of probation and a short term of periodic detention for the defendant. ARREST WARRANT

A warrant was issued by Judge Frampton, for the arrest of George Patrick Shannon, aged 45, who failed to appear on a charge of being found unlawfully in the enclosed yard of the Christchurch Club, in Worcester Street, on August 16. He was to have defended the charge. Mr D. J. Taffs, who was to have represented him, was granted leave to withdraw from the case.