List of 91 charges

Press, 15 January 1986, Page 8

List of 91 charges

An Auckland man admitted 91 offences in the Christchurch District Court yesterday. They comprised mainly the theft of cheques and bankcards and the use of those to obtain goods, accommodation, air travel and services at Auckland and several other North Island centres, and in Christchurch, late last year. The defendant, Anthony Peter Neilson, aged 20, a driver, was said by the police to have used stolen cheques and bankcards to obtain goods, accommodation and services totalling more than $5OOO, to have burgled the home of someone he knew, and stolen a stereo worth $BOO, stolen cheque forms, cheque books and bankcards, and to have committed a breach of pro-

bation imposed for previous offences. On all charges, Judge Hattaway convicted Neilson, and remanded him in custody to January 23 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant G. C. Jones traversed the police summaries relating to the offences, and said one series of offences began after Neilson- stole a cheque book belonging to his father. He then used six cheques to obtain money and goods worth $407.55. When interviewed about these matters, he told the police he needed the money at the time. While a guest of a person in Auckland, Neilson stole his bankcard and used it to commit other offences at

various centres. He later returned to this person’s premises and broke in and stole a stereo, valued at $BOO. While employed in Christchurch, Neilson stole two bankcards from a fellow worker, and used one of these for 27 transactions totalling $1333.66. When apprehended and interviewed by the police, Neilson said, in relation to the offences where he used his father’s cheque book, that he needed the money at the time. He said in relation to various other offences that he had committed them because he was “out for a good time,” and "out to have some fun and to impress his girlfriend.” His counsel, Ms D. M. Shirtcliff, sought on Neilson’s behalf for the sentencing to be held in Auckland. The Judge considered he should be sentenced • in Christchurch. He also declined the defendant’s request for bail pending his sentencing.