Youths face charges of robbery

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 4

Youths face charges of robbery

. Youths who allegedly used violence and threats to steal money from two others in Manchester and Peterborough streets on July 9 have been committed to the High Court for trial. Gary Norman Wilson, aged 17 (Mr G. R. Lascelles), Paul Wylie Cameron Heather, aged 18 (Mr J. F. Hooper) and another youth, aged 16 (Mr T. W. Fournier) faced two joint charges of aggravated robbery. At the end of a depositions hearing yesterday Messrs R. M. Naysmith and J. B. Anderson, Justices of the Peace, found there was sufficient evidence against them and remanded them to appear in the High Court on September 10. Evidence was given that the defendants accosted Wayne Barrie Evans, aged 17, in Manchester Street at about 6.40 p.m. They chased away his friend, kneed him in the stomach, and took $lO off him, the Court was told. Mr Evans said the two others held him while Wilson kneed him, but later protected him from Wilson. About 40 minutes later they confronted Mark Christopher Rastrick, aged 19, in Peterborough Street. Mr Rastrick said one defendant took his red and

black scarf after threatening to strangle him with it, ’ another pushed a broken bottle to his face, and the third threatened him with a knife. The defendants went through his pockets and took as2 note and a cigar- ; ette lighter. ; The defendant Heather was wearing a red and f black scarf when inter- ; viewed by Constable Stuart Douglas Gray about 8 p.m., ' but said it was his and he • had had it for years. Constable Gray said i Heather admitted stopping the defendant Wilson from 1 hitting Mr Evans. Heather said he could not stand ’• violence. It was fair enough when there was one on to one, “but not that,” he said. In evidence read to the Court Detective John David ' Sjoberg said the youngest , defendant had a $2 note in his pocket when interviewed but denied any knowledge of the incidents. The defendant Wilson told Constable Donald Grant Fisher that he • had been “popping pills” ' before he left home and then they had bought some ‘ beer. He also denied being ! involved in any fight. r All three defendants were remanded in custody. Detective Sergeant B. Roswell prosecuted.