Man living in ‘fantasy world’ imprisoned

Press, 10 May 1985, Page 11

Man living in ‘fantasy world’ imprisoned

A man who Judge McAloon said lived in a “fantasy world,” was sent to prison for 18 months when he appeared in the District Court yesterday for sentence on 31 charges of fraud and theft involving property to a total value of almost $66,000.

Eric James Linton, aged 24, unemployed (Miss E. H. B. Thompson), had admitted the offences which included 21 charges of false pretence by which property and services worth $43,212 were obtained, and three of theft involving property to a total value of $20,713. The offences were committed in the last eight months.

It was apparent that Linton had a complete disregard for other people and their property, the Judge said.

The offending was on a

significant scale and was such that it could only be dealt with by a custodial sentence, he said.

Of the 20 cheques issued by Linton to obtain goods and services worth $42,000, the Judge said it seemed something was lacking when a person could be issued with a cheque book on a deposit of $9. Linton had opened three bank accounts in Auckland and had been given cheque books from each which he had used in his offending. ARSON CHARGE A man charged with wilfully setting fire to the Lyndhurst Home on May 7 was remanded in custody to May 23. While in custody Dominic Frances Hygate, aged 23, a P.E.P. worker, will undergo a psychiatric examination. This was sought by Ser-

geant W. J. McCormick. In the meantime, July 8 has been temporarily set down for the taking of depositions. The Lyndhurst Home is being converted for use as an abortion clinic. SEX CHARGES A psychiatric report is to be obtained on a man, aged 21, facing a charge of having sexual intercourse with a girl, aged nine, and with indecently assaulting her. Wayne Michael Chamley, unemployed (Mr E. T. Higgins), is also charged with indecently assaulting another girl, aged nine, and with doing an indecent act on a girl, aged seven. The police say the offending took place between March 1 and April 8. Charnley, who first appeared in court on these charges on Tuesday, had been remanded for two days to enable counsel to determine whether Sunnyside Hospital will admit his client for observation. The defendant had spent 18 months in Sunnyside Hospital, said Mr Higgins. The Judge remanded Charnley into the custody of Sunnyside Hospital to May 15. BURGLARY OFFENCE Unable to get through the first hole in the roof he had cut above an Innes Road Pharmacy, Daniel Mark Foley was attempting to get through a second hole when he was caught by the police, said Sergeant McCormick. Foley, aged 19, a sickness beneficiary (Miss E. H. B. Thompson), admitted charges of attempting to

burgle the pharmacy and possessing instruments by night capable of being used for burglary.

He was convicted and remanded in custody to May 16 for a probation report and sentence.

Sergeant McCormick said that as a result of information given by a member of the public a police patrol went to the shopping centre at 12.15 a.m. on May 2. The defendant was found on the roof above the chemist’s shop. In his possession were instruments for use in gaining access and Foley wore gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. He told the police he was out to get drugs, said Sergeant McCormick. STOLE MONEY Interim suppression of name was refused for a man convicted of stealing a total of $3873 from his employer. Alexander Richard Merlo, aged 38, an administration officer with the Valuation Department, who admitted two charges of theft and two of fraud, was remanded to May 23 for a probation report and sentence. Merlo, a first offender, was allowed bail of $lOOO. Sergeant McCormick said the defendant used the stolen money to pay outstanding debts caused by a family bereavement.

Compensation of $3873 was sought.

Bail was renewed but an application by counsel (Mr A. C. Matthews), for interim suppression was refused by the Judge.