Youths fined for stealing from surf patrol rooms

Press, 26 January 1984, Page 4

Youths fined for stealing from surf patrol rooms

Three youths were fined when they appeared in the District Court at Rangiora yesterday on charges of stealing property from the Pegasus Surf Life Saving Club at Pines Beach on January 11. Vicki Carmel Johnson, aged 17, Ingrid Hubac, aged 19, and Chris John Douglas, aged 18, all of Christchurch, admitted stealing property from the clubrooms when they appeared before Judge Hattaway. Johnson, who stole two light bulbs, dish-washing liquid, toilet paper and medicine valued at $9.50, was fined $2OO. Douglas, who stole three cooking pots valued at $lO, was fined $2OO, and Hubac, who stole crockery, bandages and

medicine valued at $5O, was fined $lOO. Sergeant R. G. Henwood said that when the police arrived at the clubrooms there was a group of unruly, intoxicated youths on the beach who claimed to be having a barbecue. When the clubrooms were inspected they were found to have been vandalised, with items strewn over the floor. The television had been pushed over and the inflatable craft damaged in 18 places by a sharp instrument. Most of the contents of the first aid cabinet and other supplies were missing. Hubac and Johnson told the police that they had heard crashing and banging while at the barbecue and

had gone to the clubrooms. They had walked in and taken some items. Johnson, who had no explanation for her actions, said she had put the items in a car, while Hubac said she had wanted the items for her own use, said Sergeant Henwood. Douglad had said he had noticed the clubrooms had been broken into as he was leaving the beach. He had looked about and decided to take three pots. A fourth person, Nichola Mary Thain, was remanded at large to February 22 to seek legal advice on a charge that she unlawfully entered a building, namely the Pegasus Surf Life Saving Club, with intent to commit a crime therein.