Judge refuses to grant bail

Press, 14 May 1985, Page 4

Judge refuses to grant bail

Bail was yesterday opposed “in the public interest” for a youth arrested as a result of an incident involving an axe in Cathedral Square on May 10. Dean Noble, aged 17, unemployed was charged in the District Court with assaulting a man with intent to injure him. In his application for bail for Noble, Mr E. Bedo, said the defendant denied assaulting anyone in Cathedral Square.

Sergeant G. Campbell said the police had photographs of the incident involving the axe. He also said other charges could be laid.

Mr Bedo said Noble intended to elect trial by jury. He was remanded in custody to May 20 by Judge C. C. Fraser. Another man charged with the same incident, Matthew Mark Matetaka, aged 23, unemployed was remanded in custody until Friday. BOOKMAKING CHARGES Three men each facing bookmaking charges were further remanded without pleading. Lionel Barry Quill, aged 44, unemployed, was re-

manded on renewed bail of $lOOO to May 16 on a charge of bookmaking. Siv Suluvale, aged 19, and Anthony Stephen Lawson, aged 20, both unemployed, (Mr M. J. Glue), were remanded to May 27, without plea.

Suluvale and Lawson were originally charged with bookmaking but yesterday each was charged with acting as an agent for Quill.

The police say the offences took place between May 3 and 5. Suluvale is also charged with the possession of a baseball bat in circumstances which showed an intention of using it in circumstances likely to cause injury. Bail of $2OOO was renewned for Lawson and Sullivale. WITHDRAWN Charges of assaulting two young women, laid against Neil Barton I. Isherwood, aged 22, unemployed (Mr E. Bedo), were withdrawn at the request of the police who offered no evidence. $4OOO BAIL Bail was set at $4OOO for a man facing charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop for a constable, posses-

sion of a firearm except for a lawful purpose, and threatening to kill a woman. Initially the defendant was remanded in custody last week but yesterday Sergeant Campbell said that bail was no longer opposed by the police. Counsel Mr R. A. Campbell, indicated that pleas would be entered next Monday. In view of the contents of a medical report obtained earlier, the Judge granted continued interim suppression of the defendant’s name. The charges, say the police, relate to incidents, including a high speed car chase through several Christchurch suburbs after the police were called to a domestic dispute at a house in New Brighton. STOLE BAGS A woman who stole six handbags, valued at $338, the property of the Handbag Bar, last Friday, told the police, when apprehended, that they were intended as Mother’s Day presents, said Sergeant Campbell. Susan Ann Vrhovnik, aged 27, unemployed admitted the theft. She was convicted and remanded on bail to May 27 for a probation

report and sentence. Sergeant Campbell said the defendant stole five handbags from the Cathedral Square shop by placing them in a plastic bag. This bag she then placed in a creche nearby while she went back to the shop to steal a sixth handbag. She was apprehended when she returned to the creche to pick up her property, said the Sergeant. BURGLARY OFFENCE Because he had been sacked the previous Monday, David Neil Stevenson burgled his former employer's firm, said Sergeant Campbell. Stevenson, aged 20, unemployed, was convicted of breaking and entering the Leeds Street premises of Spectrum Marine, Ltd, on April 4. He was convicted and remanded on bail to May 27 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant Campbell said the defendant, after breaking in, had removed a portable welder. He was apprehended by a security guard. Stevenson said that he had intended to sell the welder in order to pay his rent.