Remands on truck bomb charges

Press, 3 February 1987, Page 8

Remands on truck bomb charges

Three men facing charges of murder arising out of a fatal truck bombing at Sockburn, almost a year ago have been remanded in custody until May 4 for depositions to be taken.

Norman Patrick Kingsford, aged 39, a labourer (Mr C. D. Eason), Bruce Allan Rooke, aged 22, a computer technician (Mr S. L. Kaminski), and a third man, whose name was suppressed, represented by Miss J. Pengelly, appeared before Judge Frampton in the District Court yesterday. Each of the accused is charged with the murder of Denis Murray Drinkwater on February 18, 1986.

The death of Mr Drinkwater, aged 40, ownerdriver of a rubbish truck, led to one of New Zealand’s biggest murder investigations. Rooke is also charged with wilfully damaging a power pole, near Ruapuna Park, with an explosive, on February 1, 1986, and stealing a $2OOO car, the property of Albert Heaton Savin, on February 24, 1986.

Charges of presenting an air gun at a detective sergeant, on December 11, last year, have also beene laid against Rooke. NEEDED MONEY Because he had overspent over Christmas and needed money to pay a large electricity bill, Paul Statesman West agreed to help an associate in the commission of a burglary.

said Sergeant Kevin Morrison.

West, aged 37, a manager (Mr M. Barkle) also admitted receiving women’s fashion clothing, valued at $ll,OOO. On both charges he was convicted and remanded in custody to February 9 for sentence.

Sergeant Morrison said that over night on January 18 the premises of Maggies Ladies Fashion were burgled and $30,000 worth of fashion clothing was stolen.

When spoken to by police, West said he knew about the burglary, which was committed by an associate he declined to name.

The defendant said he had some cartons of the clothing stored at his address — as a favour to the associate.

The only reward he received for this action was some items of clothing for his girl friend. On January 25 the Lincoln Road Supervalue supermarket was burgled. The burglars were disturbed by police and decamped. No property was taken, said Sergeant Morrison. West was found in a vehicle nearby. He told police he had been present at the time of the burglary, but had remained in his car. He said he had been asked by an associate for the use of his car. In return he was to receive a sum of money from the associate, said Sergeant Morrison.