Detention for fictitious calls

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 4

Detention for fictitious calls

Three months periodic detention was the sentence imposed by Judge Palmer in the District Court yesterday on a man who, by making three fictitious calls about alleged offences, “grossly” wasted police manpower at a peak period of public demand. Eric Darryl Lundvall, aged 17, a car groomer (Mr C. D. Eason), had earlier admitted making false verbal statements about an alleged assault and continuing violence, on April 19 and 20. At the earlier hearing the Judge was told that 18 policemen, nine cars, and 30 man hours were involved in following up the calls. Mr Eason said his client, a first offender, committed the offences during a brief period after he had been on a drinking spree with associates. Lundvall, he said, never thought that such a fullscale turnout would follow his three telephone calls to the police. As his client now had a job, he asked that a monetary penalty be considered. A monetary penalty was,

in view of the defendant’s earning less than $lOO a week, out of the question, said the Judge, as any financial penalty for such offending would have to be substantial. Police gave high priority to complaints where there might be possible danger to the public. Such hoax calls, as were made by the defendant, constituted a gross waste of police manpower, said the Judge. CHARGES DENIED A woman, aged 20, who pleaded not guilty to charges of prostitution, and assisting in the management of a city massage parlour, was remanded to August 9 for a defended hearing. The woman, represented by Miss E. H. B. Thompson, is charged with committing the offences on June 17. Interim suppression of the names of the defendant, and the massage parlour, was orded by the Judge. STOLE CAR A $5OOO Volkswagen was stolen by a man, aged 20, and associates because they wanted a gearbox and an

engine for a beach buggy, said Sergeant M. P. Caldwell. Brian Charles Elliott, a labourer (Mr K. J. Grave), committed the offence about September 11, 1984. He was convicted and remanded on bail to July 16 for a probation report and sentence. Elliott was also ordered to report three times a week to the police. Sergeant Caldwell said the vehicle was stolen from outside the owner’s home in Blighs Road. Parts of the car were found when the police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Oxford address. Elliott admitted the theft when questioned by the police last month. He said the gearbox and engine were wanted for a “beach buggy.” Sergeant Caldwell said that after removing these items the car was doused with petrol and set alight in order to obliterate any marks of identification. Compensation of $lOOO was sought from Elliott. Police inquiries were continuing to find the missing engine and gearbox, and the

associates involved in the offence, Sergeant Caldwell said. REPORT SOUGHT A psychiatric report will be obtained on Duane Thomas Tito, aged 23, who was arrested after an extensive manhunt on Banks Peninsula late last month. Tito (Mr P. H. B. Hall) was remanded in custody to July 12. The psychiatric report, sought by Mr Hall, after consultation with the officer in charge of the case, was supported by Sergeant Caldwell. Tito faces 25 charges including theft, burglary, car conversion, armed robbery, and several firearm charges, since escaping from Rolleston Prison in May. A fresh charge of burgling a house in Menzies Bay was laid yesterday. Tito did not plead.

On his last appearance Tito appeared in the dock handcuffed to a detective. Yesterday he limped into the dock alone. Tito was shot in the leg when apprehended at Port Levy.

RINGS A woman at the Central Police Station found wearing three stolen rings, valued at $2970, told the police she did not know why she bought them as she did not really like jewellery, said Sergeant Caldwell. Sonia Vae Vae Marsters, aged 21, a solo parent (Mr A. N. D. Garrett), admitted three charges of receiving rings valued at $570, $6OO, and $lBOO. Marsters at first said the rings were gifts from her brother. She later admitted “swapping” the $517 ring for drugs in an inner-city hotel. She said she paid $5O for the $lBOO ring and that she could not remember what she paid for the third ring. The transactions occured in inneT-city hotels. Marsters also admitted, and was convicted on, two charges of receiving cheque books, and a charge of attempting to use a bank withdrawal form to obtain money. The defendant was remanded on bail of $750 to July 19 for a probation report and sentence.