Fox brothers each fined $1000 on multiple counts

Press, 22 June 1985, Page 4

Fox brothers each fined $1000 on multiple counts

PA Invercargill Constant news bulletins and a “bad taste” talkback show about a Gore double shooting on June 6 pushed two brothers into creating a disturbance at a radio station, the District Court at Invercargill heard yesterday.

Peter Thomas Fox, aged 26, a butcher, of Winton, and Simon Roger Fox, aged 20, a freezing worker, of Timaru, appeared on several charges relating to an incident at Foveau Radio station on June 7.

Peter Fox, was fined a total of $lOOO - $3OO on each of two assault charges

and one of using threatening language, and $lOO on a charge of resisting a policeman. He was also sentenced to six months periodic detention. Simon Fox was also fined a total of $lOOO — $4OO on each of two charges of assault, $lOO on a charge of resisting a constable, and $lOO on a charge of possessing cannabis. Counsel, Mr M. H. Coughlan, told Judge Anderson that the brothers were constantly reminded of the shooting of their elder brother and sister-in-law by half-hourly news bulletins during the day, while they

were drinking at a city hotel. A talkback show, which included discussion on the Gore shooting event, “which might have been in bad taste,” disturbed the men further and they were both very upset. They went to the radio station and threatened the receptionist, sweeping papers off her desk and using threatening language before leaving. When they were stopped by the police in the street, a further incident occurred leading to a policeman’s being knocked unconscious.

“Their judgment was clouded through the family’s

problems and sorrow at the disaster, made worse by the alcohol they had consumed,” Mr Coughlan said. The Judge said he accepted that broadcasting put pressure on people. He acknowledged the distressed state both defendants were in at the time, but said matters had been worsened by their consumption of alcohol.

As well, the rights of the radio station’s staff and of the police to carry out their duties had to be protected. Simon Fox had committed more serious assaults than his brother, the Judge said.