Mental, criminal record

Press, 8 June 1985, Page 8

Mental, criminal record

PA Invercargill The man who shot his wife and was then shot by the police in Gore on Thursday had a criminal and psychiatric record going back 14 years. Although the police inquiring into the double shooting are still awaiting full details of Kevin David Fox’s history, it was revealed yesterday that he had received psychiatric treatment at Cherry Farm Hospital, north of Dunedin. It was also revealed that he had been involved in an armed offenders incident in Timaru in 1981.

The man heading the Gore inquiry, Detective Chief Superintendent Brian James, of Christchurch, said Fox had a record of psychiatric illness going back over 14 years, and of criminal offending during that time.

His most recent brush

with the law was on May 27 when police from Alexandra and Dunedin executed a search warrant at the Clyde property where Fox and his wife lived. As a result, five informations were laid in court against Fox. These were selling cannabis, offering cannabis for sale, possession of cannabis plants, possession of cannabis seeds, and cultivation of cannabis. Fox appeared in the District Court at Alexandra later that day before Judge Reid, of Invercargill and, at the request of the police, was remanded without plea to June 18. He was granted bail with two sureties and was to report twice a week to the police. He was also granted suppression of name. During the search of Fox’s home police found a sawn-off shotgun buried behind the house. It is believed

the police also intended to charge Fox with illegal possession of a firearm. When the house was searched the police found cannabis plants growing in a bedroom under heat lamps, and recovered about 500 cannabis seeds.

The Foxes had been living in Central Otago since late last year, but had been at the Clyde address only a few weeks. The armed offender incident in Timaru in 1981 arose from a drug deal which went wrong.

The armed offenders squad stopped Fox in a car and officers believed he had a loaded weapon with him. He was arrested for carrying a loaded .38 calibre pistol in his car and was jailed for six months. During his court appearance the police prosecutor told the judge that the police did not want to

reveal details leading to Fox’s arrest. “To elaborate might put other people’s lives in jeopardy,” the prosecutor told the Court at the time. In 1982, while serving a prison sentence, Fox was sent to Cherry Farm for treatment for alcohol and drug addiction and depression. While on day leave from the hospital in September that year he was seen drinking in a Dunedin street and lashed out at a constable when arrested. He appeared in the District Court at Dunedin on September 27 charged with using insulting words in a public place and resisting a constable. A month’s jail sentence was imposed. Concern was expressed at the time by the police and a District Court judge that Fox had been allowed to leave the hospital.