Sentence after two trials

Press, 10 May 1985, Page 11

Sentence after two trials

A sentence of six months non-residential periodic detention was imposed in the District Court yesterday on Wayne John Panapa, aged 24, unemployed, on a charge of burglary of a house in St Albans on December 12. The defendant had been found guilty by a jury at his trial earlier this week on the burglary charge. It was his second trial on the same charge; the jury at his first trial in March had failed to reach agreement on a decision after a retirement of SM: hours and the defendant was discharged.

At this week’s trial the jury reached its verdict of guilty after a retirement of 20 minutes.

Judge Pain, imposing sentence, said house burglary was a very serious offence in Christchurch. However, there were unusual features of the defendant’s offence. Evidence disclosed that he had known previous occupants of the house. He had disturbed nothing except the owner’s shoes and had not taken anything from the property, although he had had opportunity to do so.

Periodic detention was an appropriate sentence on balance, on this occasion, said the Judge. Mr G. H. Nation, for the defendant, said he had not committed any other offence involving dishonesty since his release from prison in September, 1983. He had shown some improvement and it was a case of his growing up and away from his past background. Mr Nation asked that a term of periodic detention be imposed.