Man cleared of parking offences

Press, 28 August 1984, Page 14

Man cleared of parking offences

A sickness beneficiary, who denied that parking infringement notices or the car involved was his when attempts were made to serve summonses on him, has been discharged under section 347 of the Crimes Act on a charge of wilfully attempting to defeat the course of justice, by Mr Justice O’Regan in the High Court. The • beneficiary, Dean Andrew Hamilton, aged 29, had been committed for trial by Justices of the Peace in the District Court. His Honour, after hearing legal argument before the trial commenced, held that no jury properly directed would be likely to convict Hamilton when he discharged him under section 347. The discharge is the equivilant of an acquittal. Hamilton denied the charge that he wilfully attempted to defeat the

course of justice. He denied that he was the person legally liable for the service of summonses in connection with parking infringements and giving false information with the intention to mislead. Mr D. H. P. Dawson appeared for Hamilton. Evidence was given in the District Court that in May last year, Hamilton bought a Morris Oxford car and the owner gave him a signed change of ownership form to action. Between July 6, 1983, and March 27, 1984, the Christchurch City Council parking division submitted to Hamilton notices of prosecution for parking infringements on at least 17 occasions for that car. They could not be processed or served on Hamilton as he did not accept liability and said that he was not the person involved.