Bottles thrown in car chase

Press, 13 October 1987, Page 21

Bottles thrown in car chase

Damage estimated at $2500 was caused to a car driven by a woman, aged 17, as a consequence of her vehicle being chased by another car for several kilometres south of Oamaru out of which a passenger threw beer bottles and other missiles at it, said Sergeant Kevin Morrison in the District Court yesterday. At one stage, as the girl’s car entered a bend she was not able to brake because the car behind was so close. The car ran into a bank and rolled over on to the roof. The pursuing car also crashed into the bank. Michael Sutton, aged 25, unemployed, admitted throwing bottles at a car at Herbert on August 30. He was convicted by Judge Frampton and remanded on bail to October 27 for sentence and a reparation report. Sergeant Morrison said that, as a result of the crash, the young woman was treated at the Oamaru Public Hospital for a suspected broken arm and one of her passengers was treated for an

injury. Sergeant Morrison said the defendant was a passenger in a car, travelling on State Highway One, which passed the complainant’s car on the left

Sutton threw a beer bottle at the girl’s car which smashed on impact. Another bottle was thrown, but this did not break. For several kilometres Sutton then began throwing car batteries at the young woman’s car and travelling so close that she was not able to see the headlights. Throughout the ordeal it appeared that the complainant, and her passengers, were terrified and apprehensive about what was to happen, said the Sergeant. In explanation, Sutton said the young woman had “inconvenienced’’ him and the occupants of the car he was in, when she pulled out of a service station at Herbert.

Damage to the complainant’s car amounted to $2500, of which $1250 was sought as the defendant’s share, said Sergeant Morrison.

A co-offender is to appear in court later this week. MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE Bail was not opposed for a man facing a charge of manslaughter relating to the death of a soldier after a brawl in Lichfield Street early on Saturday morning. Vii Mathew Mulipola, aged 19, unemployed, is charged with killing Duane Innes Fraser by an unlawful act, threreby committing manslaughter. His brother, Taali Mulipola, aged 18, and Asalele Jeremiah Karl Aupaau, aged 17, both unemployed, are charged with assaulting Mr Fraser. The three, represented by Mr Michael Knowles, were remanded on bail to October 27, without plea. Vii Mulipola was ordered, at the request of the police, to live at home with his parents, and to report to the police three times a week. CHEMISTS BURGLED Two chemists shops were burgled by Kevin John Little “out of desperation” to alleviate his drug problem, said

Sergeant Morrison. Little, aged 26, unemployed (Mr Peter Dhyrberg), was convicted of breaking into the South Brighton Pharmacy in Estuary Road, on September 25, and the St Martins Pharmacy on September 27. He was convicted and remanded, on bail, to October 19 for sentence. Little stole 3950 pills and tablets, worth $4OO, from the St Martins Pharmacy, while from the South Brighton Pharmacy he stole $77 worth of pills. Little drove to each of the chemists. For this reason, Sergeant Morrison asked that he be disqualified. Little was apprehended outside the St Martins Pharmacy by a neighbour who immobilised his vehicle. Compensation of $l3OO was sought in respect of damage to windows and doors in the St Martins burglary, and $377 for the South Brighton break-in. INCEST ATTEMPT A man, aged 40, convicted of the attempted incest of his mentally retarded daughter was con-

victed and remanded, on bail, to the High Court for sentence on October 29. The man, whose name is suppressed, is charged with committing the offence between August 14 and 15. FOUR MONTHS JAIL A man who unlawfully drove a $452,000 bulldozer on a demolition site in Armagh Street was sent to prison for four months. Darren John Kemp, aged 20, unemployed (Mr Shaun O’Neill), committed the offence on August 19. He also admitted driving while disqualified. Kemp was not experienced driving bulldozers and almost drove it on to Armagh Street. No damage was caused. The bulldozer belonged to March Construction. Mr O’Neill said his client had a solvent abuse problem, and a lengthy list of offences involving vehicles.

Because of the defendant’s reluctance or refusal, in the past, to accept help for his problem, a short period of imprisonment would assist him to "dry out,” said the Judge.