Judge raps ‘elaborate form of fencing’

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 29

Judge raps ‘elaborate form of fencing’

Nelson reporter

If it were not for an elaborate form of “fencing” throughout New Zealand, burglars would have difficulty in disposing of stolen property, Judge Seeman told James Hugh Crawford, aged 33, a truck driver, in the District Court at Nelson. Crawford admitted five charges of receiving video cassette recorders and television sets which had been stolen from Christchurch homes earlier this year. He was convicted and fined $4OO on each charge

and put on probation for six months.

Sergeant P. D. Grooby said that when Crawford’s home was searched, a television set valued at $lOOO was found. Crawford had admitted buying it in a hotel for $l5O. The next day, Crawford had admitted to the police that he had also received other items, valued at $BOOO, all of which had been stolen from Christchurch homes. Sergeant Grooby said that Crawford asserted he was pressured into getting rid of some of the property and

had sold it He had said that he had not gained financially. Tony Francis Drake, aged 27, a foreman, of Motupipi, pleaded not guilty to receiving a video recorder, valued at $l5OO, from Crawford. He was remanded on bail to February 4. Parrish Grant Haley, aged 22, a truck driver, of Pangatotara, was also remanded to February 4 on a charge of receiving a colour television, valued at $lOOO, from persons unknown arid of receiving a video recorder valued at $2500.