Escaper who burgled pharmacy jailed

Press, 13 June 1986, Page 12

Escaper who burgled pharmacy jailed

A man who burgled a Colombo Street pharmacy while on the run after escaping from Paparua Prison earlier this month was sent to prison for two years by Judge Sheehan in the District Court yesterday. The Judge told Michael James Edwards, aged 20, unemployed (Mr E. T. Higgins) that the public interest would not be served by giving him “a smack over the hand.”

People were entitled to protection from a man with a record of 28 convictions for burglary. The only practicable sentence was one of imprisonment for “a reasonably long time” as a deterrent, both to the defendant, and to others, said the Judge.

Edwards had admitted escaping from a work party at Paparua Prison on June 3, and breaking and entering the Bealey Pharmacy in Colombo Street on June 11.

The defendant was arrested at about 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday after ing been chased through several properties after the burglary of the Bealey Pharmacy, from which he stole five packets of drugs worth about $lOO, said Sergeant W. P. Creasey. The drugs were found in his possession. Counsel, Mr E. T. Higgins, said both the escape, and the burglary, offences had occurred "on the spur of the moment.” Edwards, he said, had been due for release from prison towards the end of the month. INDECENCY CHARGE Interim suppression of the name of a man, aged 23, charged with permitting a boy, aged 15, to do an indecent act on him was lifted by the Judge. Geoffrey John Lye, a labourer (Mrs D. M. Orchard), was remanded on bail of $lOOO to August 8 for a defended hearing. Police say the alleged

offence took place about May 17. When Lye first appeared he was granted interim suppression of name. Yesterday Judge Sheehan said the grounds put forward by Mrs Orchard — that publication would embarrass the defendant’s family — were insufficient for such an order to be granted. YEAR’S REMAND Because two freezing workers were to .be overseas for nine months a defended hearing will not take place until March 11, next year. Gary Raymond O’Malley, aged 24, and Robert William Kevin Stuart, aged 25 (Mr G. A. Cameron) are each charged with intentionally intimidating a man by threatening to injure him, and intentionally damaging a tree. Police say both offences took place on June 8. Mr Cameron said he had spoken to the inspector of prosecutions about the matter and that he had accepted the situation.

Both defendants, first offenders, were due to fly out of New Zealand today. Substantial sureties were available. The charges would be “vigorously” defended, said Mr Cameron. ESCAPER Daniel Spencer Palmer who admitted escaping from Huntsbury House, to which he had been committed, was convicted and given a 12-month deferred sentence. He was also ordered to pay $lOO towards the costs of the prosecution. Sergeant Creasey said Palmer, aged 30, unemployed (Mr M. J. Glue), was committed to Huntsbury House for treatment for his alcoholism in October, last year. At 11 p.m. on May 28 Palmer left the institution and did not return until June 4. He had left, without permission, on three previous occasions. No explanation was offered by the defendant. Mr Glue said the authorities at Huntsbury House were willing to have his client back for treatment.