Knifepoint robbery in Square alleged

Press, 18 February 1986, Page 14

Knifepoint robbery in Square alleged

A man who was alleged in the District Court yesterday to have asked a young man the time, and than taken his watch, will face trial in the High Court on a charge of robbery. At a preliminary hearing, Richard Patrick Pirlmona, aged 22, unemployed, faced a charge of robbing a sickness beneficiary aged 19, of $2.20 and his watch, valued at $lO, when armed with a knife in Cathedral Square about midnight on January 7.

Messrs J. H. Christensen and C. E. R. Wise, Justices of the Peace, committed Pirimona for trial in the High Court. They remanded him in custody pending a date for trial.

Mr A. M. Mclntosh, for Pirimona, reserved the defence.

Sergeant W. J. McCormick prosecuted. The complainant gave evidence of being outside Christchurch Cathedral eating food he had bought when Pirimona approached and asked him

the time. Pirimona then sat beside him and held a knife touching complainant’s throat, and asked for his watch.

The complainant said he declined and Pirimona pushed the knife “really hard” into his throat, and removed the watch. He then asked for money, and was given a $1 note and some coins.

Pirimona then began threatening complainant, and told him not to go to the police and that he would get the Mongrel

Mob on to him. He punched complainant in the face, blackening an eye. Pirimona then left, but returned a few seconds later and returned the watch, saying, “No hard feelings.” He walked away, shortly before the police arrived. The complainant said the knife caused three point marks on his throat, piercing the skin. Cross-examined, the complainant said he had no opportunity to run off. He did not run over to

other people in the vicinity after Pirimona left the first time because his head was not very clear. He had been punched and was “in a bit of shock.”

Another witness gave evidence of seeing a man punch another and stick a knife against his neck and demand money. When questioned by a constable, the defendant denied having been in the vicinity of the Cathedral, or of mugging anybody. He said he did not carry a knife.