Offence a lapse

Press, 26 October 1984, Page 4

Offence a lapse

A former Christchurch school teacher earlier convicted of indecently assaulting a male pupil was put on probation for 12 months and given final suppression of his name when he appeared • for sentence before Judge Frampton in the District Court yesterday. The Judge said that although the type of offence was viewed seriously it was not a bad case, more at what he called the lower end of the scale. Given the high regard with which the defendant was held by school staff, he said he accepted the suggestion that the offence was an isolated lapse. As a result of the offence the defendant’s career, in which he had achieved some distinction, had come to an end and he was now unemployed, said the Judge. The offence involving a boy, aged 12, took place in a school office on July 5 after the boy had been disciplined by the teacher for his lunchtime behaviour. The defendant was unable to give the police a reason for the offence but said events in his personal life had put him under considerable stress. Counsel, Mr S. C. Barker, said the offence took place wMle his client was consoling the complainant. Since the offence his client had undergone counselling and had voluntarily resigned from the staff of the school, said Mr Barker. He sought final suppression for the sake of the defendant’s family. DEFERRED SENTENCE A deferred 12-month sentence was given to a woman, aged 28, earlier convicted of stealing $760 in cash, the property of a sports club refreshment

shop last month. Because of the “peculiar” circumstances outlined in the probation report, the Judge granted the defendant final suppression. of her name.

All the money was recovered from the woman who could give no explanation for her offending. Because of a psychiatric background, the woman had earlier been granted interim suppression of her name on the application of counsel, Mr M. J. Knowles. COMMUNITY SERVICE

One hundred and twentyfive hours of community service was ordered to be carried out by a woman' who was previously convicted on 27 offences of fraudulently using another person’s bank credit card.

Property worth $1457 had been obtained by Diana Jane Perriton, aged 23, a beneficiary, who admitted the offending committed between May 1 and 3. She said the offences occurred because of her “desperate” need for money. None of the property was recovered.

Mr M. J.. Glue, for the defendant, said his client was in a “somewhat disturbed state” when the offending took place.

Perriton was not in a strong financial position and the payment of the $1457 compensation sought was, he submitted, unrealistic. INDECENCY CHARGES.-

Desmond Russell Gray, aged 23, a warehouseman, was remanded on bail of $lOOO to November 1 on two charges of doing indecent acts on a girl, aged 15. The police say the offences took place on September 3 and 4. He did not plead.

CHARGES DENIED < Charges of causing the ! deaths of two women by >' carelessly using a car on ! the No. 2 wharf at Lyttelton ' on July 1 were denied by ■ Philip Joseph Holtum. , Holtum, aged 19, a radio ? technician, Mr E. J. Tait, ■ was remanded at large to # December 18 for a defended ■ hearing. , The defendant is charged < with causing the deaths of *' Leanne Mary Harrington; and Susanna Morrow. < The charges relate to an;' incident in which a car,, with two women passengers,'.' plunged off the No. 2 wharf j into the harbour. •; RECEIVING CHARGE A housewife charged with; receiving three sewing' macMnes, valued at $1861,;. was remanded at large to November 1 without plead-* ing. ! Sheryll Louise Davis,< aged 31, is charged with; committing the offence on, October 23. The machines were the; property of the Christchurch Sewing Machine Centre. ; (Before Judge Fraser) PRISON TERM An unemployed man was; sent to prison for 15 months, after being convicted on; four charges of receiving,’ stolen property. ' William James Willis,; aged 33, Mrs D. J. Orchard,, had admitted the offences' at a depositions hearing; earlier this month. Video equipment, a cas-; sette recorder, jewellery,’ kitchenware, silverware,' and china, to a total value; of $14,600, were involved in the four offences. The charges arose as a result of the work of an' undercover policeman in, 1 Christchurch over a period of 15 months.