Man’s complaint of record time in cells

Press, 3 August 1985, Page 4

Man’s complaint of record time in cells

PA Gisborne A Ruatoria man complained in the District Court at Gisborne that he had been held for a record time in the cells at the Gisborne police station. Christopher Karaitiana Campbell, aged 28, said he had been told by a jailer that his 21 consecutive days was a record.

“I am sick of it,” he told Judge Hole. “It is becoming ludicrous.”

Campbell appeared bn Thursday for a hearing on a joint charge of aggravated cruelty to a horse, which case was adjourned partheard to August 22. He also appeared yesterday on charges of trespass, resisting a constable, and escaping from custody, on

which charges he had been remanded in custody and was further remanded.

“I am quite sick of being remanded in custody,” he said. “Twenty-one days is a long time. We are led to believe that one is not guilty in this country until he is proved guilty. But we are being put off and put off. We don’t sort of enjoy breaking records.” Campbell was one of 12 Rastafarians arrested at Ruatoria in early June on charges relating to the theft of horses and horse equipment.

When the Judge asked Campbell on Thursday if he had any objection to being remanded until yesterday for the hearing of a charge of trespass, Campbell said

he strongly opposed it. “I have subpoenaed witnesses to be here,” he said. “I was informed by the Court that the matter would be heard, so it should go ahead.” Hone Tamati Kaua te Rangi Heeney, aged 22, unemployed, who was to appear on several charges, also strongly objected to being remanded in custody.

While in the dock, Heeney said charges should be laid against the police for trespassing on a marae. He asked the Judge how to go about laying charges. The Judge asked him who his solicitor was. Heeney replied, “God”. “You should see your solicitor about it,” the Judge said.