Burglaries had ‘touch of arrogance’

Press, 2 September 1986, Page 4

Burglaries had ‘touch of arrogance’

A man who stole $15,994 worth of property from four houses he burgled was sent to prison for 12 months by Judge Anderson in the District Court yesterday. The offences committed by John Daniels was serious and had, in his view, "quite a touch of arrogance” about them, said the Judge. Daniels, aged 20, unemployed (Mr A. G. James) had earlier been convicted of the offences, which took place in May in the company of three associates. Videos, television sets, jewellery, and assorted household effects were taken in the burglaries. No order was made for the $6OOO compensation sought earlier to be paid. The incidence of burglary charges coming before the courts eaqh day was a matter of the greatest concern to this community, said the Judge. Daniels, he said, had committed nine burglaries since 1980. The present offences were serious, with each charge carrying a maximum prison' term of 10 years. Mr James said the four offences, for which his client was appearing for sentence, were part of a group effort with three associates. At the time, a female associate, who was sentenced to corrective training, had introduced Daniels to drugs, but he was now off these. Mr James had sought a sentence of periodic detention for Daniels. SEX CHARGES Interim suppression of name was granted to a self-employed shopkeeper facing six charges of sexually violating a girl, and one charge of doing an indecent act on another girl. Both girls were under 14 years of age. The defendant, aged 56, is charged with committing the offences between February, last year, and last month. He is also charged with receiving a $1970 video between November, 1983, and February, 1984. No pleas were entered. The accused was remanded on bail of $l6OO to September 5. BURGLARY OFFENCE Clothing valued at $12,794 was stolen by Timothy Grant Allan from the Sports People’s Warehouse on August 17. Allan also admitted unlawfully taking a car, valued at $BOO, the same

day. Sergeant M. J. South said at 10.22 p.m. on August 17 the defendant broke into a parked car, near the Bridge of Rememberance, and then, with an associate, drove the car to the clothing store. The vehicle was backed to the door and clothing to a value of $12,794 was loaded. The defendant was found soon after by a police patrol. Allan told police he had planned the burglary. He said it was intended to sort the stolen property and then sell it “on the black market” He said he expected to get $5OOO for the clothing, said Sergeant South. Allan was convicted and remanded in custody to September 8 for a probation report and sentence. ROBBERY OFFENCE On a charge of robbing a man of $1.70c, Craig McAllister, aged 18, unemployed, was remanded in custody to September 8 for a probation report and sentence. McAllister (Mr M. J. Glue) admitted the offence which took place at 9.45 p.m. on August 23. Sergeant South said the defendant approached a man in Worcester Street and asked him if he had 80c for a bus fare. The man replied that he had not , McAllister then asked the complainant if he had a knife and when told he had not the defendant said he had, and threatened to cut the complainant if he didn’t get some money. The complainant gave him $ 1.70 c. McAllister was later apprehended by a police patrol in Linwood Avenue. DEPOSITIONS Two of three men facing charges of aggravated robbery were remanded to October 28 for depositions to be taken. They are: John Daniels, aged 21, unemployed (Mr A. G. James) and Gary Neville Mayer, aged 22, a truck driver (Mr A. N. D. Garrett). John Vince Gillies, aged 19, a cleaner (Mr E. Bedo), was remanded to September 8. They are jointly charged with robbing Glen Allan Tukahi and David Robert Thomas of two leather jackets, and $7 cash. Daniels was remanded in custody. Bail of $2OOO each was renewed for Mayer and Gillies.