$4894 restitution for ‘bizarre’ shooting

Press, 26 February 1986, Page 4

$4894 restitution for ‘bizarre’ shooting

A Hamner Springs youth who fired a shotgun into the Lodge Hotel and the Hanmer Al store in the early morning of June 16, causing damage amounting to $4894, has been directed to pay this sum in restitution to the complainants. The defendant, Gary William John Lunn, aged 19, a helicopter deer-re-covery worker, was also put under supervision for a year when sentenced by. Judge Pain in. the District Court yesterday. Lunn had pleaded guilty, before a scheduled trial by jury was to take place earlier this month, to charges of wilfully

damaging windows and mirrors valued at $1943, the. property of Lodge Hotel, Ltd; wilfully damaging windows and stock valued at $2951, the property. of Hanmer Al store; carrying a shotgun in Conical Hill Road, without lawful, proper and sufficient purpose; and with discharging the shotgun -with reckless disregard for the safety of other persons.

The Judge said that indiscriminate use of a firearm was a matter of grave concern. Lunn’s actions in firing the shotgun at glass doors and windows in the hotel foyer, and at plate-glass windows of the shop, was totally irrational behaviour.

He said there was nothing to show that Lunn had a propensity for this type of behaviour, and excellent references had been produced on his behalf.

The Judge noted that Lunn had pleaded guilty, although claiming to have no recollection of events. The offences were out of character and his con-

sumption of alcohol obviously had contributed to his actions. His liquor consumption was a matter of concern for a person of his age. The Judge accepted that Lunn’s obvious motive was an attack on property and not on people.

Mr P. H. B. Hall, in submissions in mitigation of penalty for Lunn, said he was highly regarded in the Hanmer Springs community and his conduct on this occasion was "simply an aberration.” His actions were so out of character and bizarre that they defied rational explanation. It apparently had occurred as a "revenge measure’’ because Lunn’s mother had applied for jobs at the hotel and store, but had been refused.

Lunn had been drinking heavily before the episode.

The shots were fired at the premises in the early hours of the morning and the risk of danger to others was not great, Mr Hall said.