Prison for car thief

Press, 9 December 1983, Page 9

Prison for car thief

Two years in prison was the sentence imposed by Judge Hattaway on a man who appeared for sentence before him in the District Court yesterday on 42 offences — mostly relating to the taking of vehicles valued at $64,000. The Judge told Shaun Alec Robinson, aged 21, a spray painter (Mr M. J. Glue) that he had taken his voluntary admissions to the police into consideration in deterring the length of the prison term. Robinson was also disqualified from holding or obtaining of driver’s licence for two years. He had been convicted on the conversion offences, the theft of $1330 worth of property from the vehicle, two charges of driving while disqualified and burglary.

The offences occurred between October 4 and November 15.

Mr Glue said that the job of the police in relation to the large number of converted cars, had been made much easier because the frankness of his client in

volunteering information to the police and admitting the offences.

Mr Glue sought the leniency of a short term of imprisonment. An order for compensation would be “rather pointless,” he said. 18 MONTHS JAIL A man who assaulted two women at night in North Hagley Park and who later told police he had intended to rob each of them, was sent to prison for 18 months. The actions of Ronald Cecil Honniwell, aged 25, had been dangerous foolish, and serious, said the Judge.

It was fortunate that no serious injury was involv-

Although a committed patient at Sunnyside Hospital, a medical report had shown that the defendant had been aware of and responsible for his actions said the Judge. Honniwell (Mr D. J. Taffs) had admitted assaulting the woman, the first on October 29, and the other on November 15.

The first had been struck with a stick, the second had been almost pulled off her bicycle. PROBATION A woman convicted of stealing just over $BOOO from two former employers over a period of about three years was put on probation for 12 months.

Vickie Ann Robinson, aged 22, (Mr D. J. Taffs), had admitted 19 charges of stealing cheques and cash, while employed by a Tauranga firm, and later another at Invercargill. The offending began at Christmas, 1981, when she was short of money. Many assets had already been sold by Robinson to make some partial repayment. The defendant, a first offender was pregnant and expecting twins. Mr Taffs said that the Budget Advisory Service was now looking after the defendant’s finances. The Judge made no order regarding the payment of $4943 sought in compensation. CAR THEFTS Seven cars to a total value of $11,600, were unlawfully taken by a woman, aged 18, in order to get herself and two companions from Auckland to Christchurch, said Sergeant J. E. Dwyer. Linda May Kapa, unemployed, (Mr M. J. Glue) admitted taking the vehicles at Auckland, Manurewa, Palmerston North, Paraparaumu, Picton, Amberley, and Christchurch between November 16 and 23.

When apprehended by police in Christchurch Kapa admitted the offences. She said she and her companions wanted to get to Christchurch but had no money to travel by public transport. She was remanded on bail

of $2OOO to December 20 for a probation report and sentence. CHARGES DENIED Charges of receiving a .223 calibre rifle, valued at $lOOO, and with unlawfully possessing the weapon, were denied by Tony Longstaffe. Longstaffe, aged 23, unemployed (Mr D. C. Fitzgibbon) was remanded to February 21 for a defended hearing. His bail was, renewed. He is charged with having committed the offences between September 16 and November 30. FALSE COMPLAINT A man, who telephoned the police to say he had assaulted a person who might be dead, was convicted and fined $lOO after admitting a charge of making a false complaint to the police. The Judge told Barrie Leonard Clarke, aged 33, a fitter’s mate, that the police had enough to do without wasting time on such stupid pranks.

An application by Clarke for suppression of his name was refused by the Judge.

Sergeant J. E. Dwyer said that at 12.20 a.m. on December 7 the defendant was walking along Lincoln Road after having been drinking at a hotel. At the intersection with Lyttelton Street a police patrol car passed him and Clarke yelled out abuse at the occupants. Soon afterwards he telephoned the police, using the emergency number, to say he had assaulted a person who may be dead. An area patrol was started and when located Clarke denied having made the telephone call. A police dog tracked the defendant’s movements back to the telephone box. As a result three hours and a half of police manpower were wasted.

When asked by the Judge if he had any explanation to give, Clarke said he could not remember anything about the incident.