Jail term for robbery

Press, 2 June 1984, Page 6

Jail term for robbery

A sentence of nine months in prison was imposed yesterday on a man earlier convicted of robbing a partly disabled man of ?60 in the toilet of a Christchurch hotel on the night of May 3. Appearing before Judge Fraser in the District Court was Anthony Paul Curtis, aged 27, a labourer (Miss E. H. B. Thompson), who admitted the offence. Although some matters in the police summary were disputed, what had been admitted was serious enough to warrant imprisonment, said the Judge. In fixing the term of imprisonment he said he excluded from consideration those matters which had been disputed. Curtis had convictions for dishonesty and personal violence and this appeared to be the first time these two aspects had been brought together in the one offence, said the Judge. Miss Thompson said that her client, who at the time had been drinking “too much,” had not been aware that the complainant was disabled in any way. He did not deliberately follow the complainant into the toilet but had gone there to relieve himself. Curtis, she said, had no need of the money as he had ?160 in his posses-

sion. The defendant instructed her to say that he did not forced the complainant’s head into the urinal but that in the spur of the moment struggle both men ended up in that unfortunate position, said Miss Thompson. SIX MONTHS JAIL A man convicted on five charges of shoplifting involving property valued at 3361, was sent to prison for six months. Toby Brown, aged 38, unemployed (Mr K. J. Grave), committed the offences between May 22 and May 24. In explanation he told the police, that he sold the property — a leather bag, two wind jackets, a pair of women’s slippers, a submersible pump, and a set of pop riveting pliers — to obtain money with which to buy liquor. FRAUD CHARGE A housewife was remanded on bail of $lOOO to June 8 on a charge that with intent to defraud she obtained $4OOO from a man who she falsely asserted had made another woman pregnant. Pamela Elizabeth Sinnott, aged 30, is charged with committing the offence on about November 21, last year. She had falsely represented that the $4OOO was

needed to pay for air fares, accommodation, and medical expenses for an abortion in Sydney. Sinnott did not plead. Sergeant M. P. Caldwell sought, and obtained, suppression of the names of the complainant and the woman mentioned in the charge. INCEST No explanation was offered by a man, aged 41, who admitted committing incest with his daughter, aged 14, early in January. The defendant, who was represented by Mr P. D. Woolley, was convicted and remanded in custody to June 8 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant Caldwell said the offence occurred in the girl’s bedroom while her mother was away from home. He said the act of sexual intercourse with the girl was against her will. The defendant told the girl not to tell her mother “or else.” The girl did, and when confronted by the mother he admitted what he had done. The couple had since separated. As a result of the incident the complainant had undergone a great deal of emotional trauma and distress, and her schoolwork had suffered, said Sergeant

Caldwell. Mr Woolley said that his client realised he had a serious psychological problem and was undergoing counselling. His application for bail was refused. HIGH COURT Jurisdiction was declined and a man convicted on three charges of receiving property valued at $2404, manufacturing morphine, and assault. He was committted in custody to the High Court for sentence. Phillip Stephen Wright, aged 23, an engineer (Mr J. J. Brandts-Giesen), admitted the offences. Wright said he had a drug problem and needed money to support it. Items he received included an underwater camera, valued at $230, a video recorder, valued at $1174, and two outboard motors, valued at $lOOO. DEPOSITIONS Trial by jury was elected by a man, aged 17, charged that being armed with a pocket knife he robbed Michael Paul Croft of about $45. George William Murray, unemployed (Mr E. Bedo), was remanded to June 27 for the taking of depositions. He is charged with committing the robbery on May 9.