Women stole baggage at Chch Airport

Press, 5 December 1985, Page 4

Women stole baggage at Chch Airport

Suitcases and baggage containing property to a total value of $8960 were stolen by two young women from the self-claim luggage carousel at Christchurch Airport, said Sergeant G. C. Jones in the District Court yesterday. Sharon Margaret Fenton, aged 26, and Elizabeth Ruth Lethbridge, aged 19, both unemployed, admitted the offences.

Lethbridge also admitted six charges of fraud involving property valued at $2511, and Fenton three charges of fraud involving property valued at $lllB. Both were convicted by Judge Bisphan and remanded on bail of $2OOO to December 18 for probation reports and sentence. Sergeant Jones said that all the complainants, including the former New Zealand speedway star, Ivan Mauger, were air passengers flying into Christ-

church from either Auckland or Wellington on November 19. Their luggage had arrived ahead of them on earlier flights. On November 20 the two women travelled to Ashburton with the intention of buying goods using a cheque book belonging to one of the complainants. Motor-cycle spare parts, valued at $l5OO, the property of Mr Mauger, had not been recovered. No explanation was offered by either defendant. The amount of compensation sought from each defendant had not been worked out yet, said Sergeant Jones. DEPOSITIONS

A man charged with aggravated robbery at Woolworth’s Supermarket in Bishopdale was remanded in custody to February 13 for the taking of depositions. Mark Huia Bain, aged 25,

a sickness beneficiary (Mr Bedo), is charged with committing the offence on November 28. It is alleged that while armed with a sawn-off shotgun he robbed a person at the supermarket of $2120.

Bail sought by Mr Bedo was opposed by Sergeant Jones, who said the cash allegedly stolen had not been recovered. The charge would be defended, said Mr Bedo. HEROIN CHARGE On a charge of manufacturing heroin, Craig Francis Gurney, aged 20, unemployed, was remanded in custody to February 18 for the taking of depositions. Gurney (Mr Bedo) is charged with committing the offence between September 1 and December 3. Mr Bedo said he believed that eventually the charge would be reduced to morphine manufacture.

He also said bail would be sought in the High Court. $3OOO BAIL

A woman formerly held in custody on two charges of assault and whom the police had described as being a danger to herself and others was granted bail of $3OOO.

The Judge ordered that while on remand for a week, Lisa Ann McNaughton, aged 17, take counselling and treatment for drug abuse.

The two assault charges relate to an incident on November 30 at Christchurch Hospital where she had been admitted after a drug overdose. The accused had produced a knife and became violent.

Bail was initially opposed by the police because McNaughton, who was already on bail on three other charges, was considered a danger to herself and others.