Former treasurer admits theft of car club funds

Press, 3 August 1985, Page 4

Former treasurer admits theft of car club funds

A former treasurer of the Canterbury Car Club who admitted stealing $lO,BOO of the club’s money by failing to account was convicted by Judge Fraser in the District Court yesterday. David John Bell, aged 33, a technician (Mr P. D. James), who committed the offences over a four-year period, was remanded on renewed bail to August 16 for a probation report and sentence. Bell faced eight charges of fraudulently converting club funds to his own use, thereby committing theft. As club treasurer, said Detective Sergeant B. M. Roswell, Bell was responsible for banking its money, writing its cheques, and completing the club’s financial records. All the stolen funds were for Bell’s own use, said Sergeant Roswell. The club’s financial records were manipulated to cover the thefts. Mr James said compensation in full had been made by his client. RECEIVING CHARGE Bail was set at $4OOO for a man charged with receiving a variety of weapons, valued at $8492, stolen in the smash-and-grab burglary of the Riccarton Road premises of Shooters’ Supplies, Ltd, earlier this week. Alister Hemi Karaka, aged 19, unemployed (Mr M. J. Knowles), was remanded without plea to August 9. He was ordered to report daily to the police. Karaka is charged with receiving from Mark Peter Rapana 10 shotguns, three .22 calibre rifles, two samurai swords, a machete, and a rifle scope. Bail was not opposed by the police but a surety and daily reporting were sought. CHURCH WINDOWS Seventeen windows of St Thomas’s Church in Straven

Road were smashed with a fire hydrant by a man who said he was a mental patient and wanted to go back to Sunnyside Hospital, said Detective Sergeant Roswell.

Graham Clifford Veitch, aged 36, unemployed (Mr E. Bedo), admitted intentionally damaging 17 of the church’s windows. He was convicted and remanded on bail to August 16 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant Roswell said the actions of Veitch were seen by a person whose attention was drawn by the noise and “ranting” of the defendant. Veitch also threw about 100 hymn books about the church grounds, a number of which were damaged beyond repair. The onlooker tried to restrain Veitch. Damage was estimated to cost $2520 and compensation of this amount was sought, said Sergeant Roswell. Veitch said that after drinking two bottles of beer he did not know what he was doing. He admitted having a drink problem. VIDEO THEFT Seeing several sealed and cartoned video-recorders stacked near the door of a Riccarton Mall shop, Paul William Bellamy, aged 33, unemployed, picked one up and walked off with it under his arm, said Sergeant Roswell. Bellamy (Mr E. Bedo) was convicted on a charge of stealing the $1595 video; the property of Noel Leeming, Ltd, on July 27. He was remanded on bail of $750 to August 16 for a probation report and sentence. When apprehended outside the store Bellamy said he had nothing to say. Mr Bedo said it was a compulsive theft committed without premeditation. BEFORE JUDGE PAIN A fine of $3OO was imposed on Eric Darryl Lundvall, a

Mr Bedo said it was a compulsive theft committed without premeditation.

clerk, for what the Judge said was a “cowardly and brutal” attack on a young

boy. Lundvall (Mr C. D. Eason) had admitted assaulting a boy, aged 14, with intent to injure him on May 25. No explanation was offered for three separate beatings that Lundvall, and an associate, gave to the boy that day. The Judge said he viewed such offending as very serious and of a type that could not be condoned. As Lundvall was in employment a fine was appropriate and half of this was to be paid to the boy, the Judge said. The defendant was also put on probation for 12 months. Mr Eason said the assault was inexcusable and with hindsight was now regretted by his client. He submitted that Lundvall played a lesser role than the co-offender who was earlier sentenced to periodic detention. As a result of the beatings the boy suffered a split lip and bruising to the face and body. The case was initially set down for a depositions hearing but .Lundvall then elected to plead guilty.