Frauds by hitch-hiker

Press, 28 August 1986, Page 4

Frauds by hitch-hiker

A man who admitted 24 charges, most relating to fraud, involving almost $3OOO, told police he could not help himself, said Sergeant W. P. Creasey in the District Court yesterday. Richard Kenneth Gill, aged 33, unemployed (Miss Carolyn Risk) was convicted by Judge Laing who remanded him in custody for sentence on September 10. Sergeant Creasey said the offences arose during June and July after Gill stole a cheque book, and a Diners Club card, from two persons who gave him lifts while he was hitchhiking in the North Island, and another cheque book from a third person at whose address he stayed. Gill obtained goods, services, and accommodation with the stolen cheques and the charge card. Compensation of $2942 was sought from the defendant, said Sergeant Creasey. SUPPLIED DRUG For passing a cannabis cigarette to a prisoner she was visiting at the Central Police Station, and being found in possession of cannabis seed, a solo mother was convicted and

sentenced to periodic detention for six months. The offences which took place at 6.20 p.m. on August 17 were admitted by Karyn Eunice Wildermoth, aged 18 (Mr J. S. Halls).

The cannabis seed was found in her possession during a search after passing the cigarette to a prisoner. Wildermoth said, in explanation to the police, that being locked up was “a real bore” and she thought a joint would be appreciated by her friend.

Mr Halls said it was not a commercial transaction, and that there was a close bond between the prisoner and his client. The Judge sentenced the defendant to three months periodic detention on each charge. STOLE PACKS After converting a car in Oxford Terrace, Jason William McWatt drove to the Latimer Hostel, with an associate, where he stole three back packs, and contents, to a total value of $3450, said Sergeant Creasey After stealing the packs, McWatt drove to his address where the stolen

property was shared out McWatt aged 17, unemployed (Mr P. B. McMenamin) was apprehended when he later returned to the hostel with the intention of stealing more property, said Sergeant Creasey.

McWatt’s intention was to sell the stolen property to obtain money. No compensation was sought He was convicted and remanded in custody to September 3 for a probation report and sentence. Michael Shane Hubbard, also 17, a labourer, who faces the same four charges was remanded, on bail, to September 3, without plea. INJURY OFFENCE Twenty-three shotgun pellets remain in the body of a boy, aged 15, accidentally shot at a camping site at Kaikoura on January 9. Brian Percy King, aged 41 (Mr M. J. Knowles) admitted unlawfully possessing a Winchester shotgun, and causing injury to the boy by carelessly using the shotgun.

He was convicted on these two charges, and two others relating to firearm licence breaches, and

was remanded to September 17 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant Creasey said that at 8.45 p.m. on January 9 police were notified of a firearm having been discharged at the campsite.

King told police the accident occurred after he had ejected what he thought were all the rounds In the shotgun. One, apparently left in the firearm, accidentally went off while being loaded into the boot of his car. The 15-year-old youth, who was 20ft away was hit. He was taken to hospital in a state of shock, said Sergeant Creasey. FORGERY CHARGES Brent Rory Coulston was remanded in custody until today when he appeared on eight charges of forging cheques to a face value of $59,100, and one of conspiring with three other persons to defraud certain banks by negotiating stolen cheques. Coulston, aged 29, a self-employed painter (Mr E. Bedo) is charged with committing the offences between January 16 and May 12.