Offenders ‘preoccupied with satanic cult’

Press, 20 September 1985, Page 7

Offenders ‘preoccupied with satanic cult’

PA Wellington Two youths who broke into and damaged churches had an overwhelming preoccupation with the occult, the District Court at Wellington was told. Robert Gregory Bray, aged 18, a workman, had earlier pleaded guilty to four charges of theft, nine of wilful damage, and five of burglary. Warren James St Merat, aged 17, an engraver, had admitted six charges of burglary, seven of wilful damage, and three of theft. Judge Paterson sentenced both youths to corrective training. He also said that after their release on statutory parole the two were to make such payment in restitution as might be directed by their probation officer. They were also to take treatment for alcohol and drug abuse as directed. Their counsel, Mr Philip Ahern, said the youths’ in-

terest in the satanic cult extended to black sabbath music and literature, occult forces, and drawing satanic symbols.

The Court was told that St Merat, when younger had a close relationship with his father. After his father became a “born again Christian” the relationship changed and St Merat grew away from him.

St Merat had abused drugs and alcohol since he was 11. There was reference to his drinking a bottle of beer a day at the age of 10. He had been smoking marijuana four or five times a week.

Bray, at the age of 13, started to abuse alcohol and, again on a similar course to St Merat, used marijuana and drank liqueur.

Mr Ahern said that on the day of the offences both youths had been abusing alcohol and drugs and it was “one of the worst

binges they had ever been on." The Judge said the youths had displayed an arrogance born of some immaturity and dabbling in the occult. Their whole attitude to the offending, which had extended over about seven hours, was one of showmanship, self-interest, and lack of respect. “You seek to remain in the community,” the Judge said. “You would do well to be told and reflect upon the rules which the community demands of you if you want privileges of it. You have offended a lot of people.”