'Gangster-style' raid youths sentenced

Press, 10 December 1983, Page 36

'Gangster-style' raid youths sentenced

PA Dunedin Three youths, all aged 18, who robbed the Dunedin Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet at gun-point during Labour Day Week-end in what has been described as a “gangster-style hold-up,” have been sentenced to years in jail. Appearing before Mr Justice Hardie Boys in the High Court at Dunedin were Peter James Muir, a contractor; Laurence Trevor Margan, a chef; and James Robertson Knowles, a process worker. All had admitted taking part in the $7OO .robbery. They also admitted breaking into a house and converting a car. On these two charges they each were given concurrent prison terms of two years and one year, respectively. Margan also appeared on four charges of burglary relating to medical centres and doctors’ rooms, to obtain drugs and money. On those charges he was sentenced to concurrent 12month prison terms, in addition to the 4‘/a-year term imposed on the other

charges. The robbery, described by his Honour as a gangsterstyle robbery, occurred at lO* p.m. on the Sunday of Labour Day week-end. The three all wore overalls, gumboots, and masks and were in possession of a .22 calibre pump-action firearm. Two staff members at the outlet were guarded while the manager was forced to hand over $7OO in takings from the safe. The youths then fled in a car stolen earlier in the day. The Crown (Mr R. P. Bates) submitted before sentence was passed that all three youths had been under the influence of drugs during the robbery. He said the robbery had been premeditated.

Defence counsel, Messrs R. V. Duell and M. R. D. Guest and Mrs J. M. Hampson, emphasised the difficult personal histories of the youths, including Margan’s drug habit. His Honour said the personal histories of the youths could not be taken into account. A duty remained to impose a long term of imprisonment.