‘Unusual features’ in fraud case

Press, 5 March 1988, Page 12

‘Unusual features’ in fraud case

I ! ; Because there were “unusual” features in a District Court case yesterday involving the making of, an false i statement to the police and attempting to defraud an insurance company of ($5OOO, Judge Frampton granted interim suppression of the defendant’s name. ! The Judge convicted the defendant and remanded him to March 18 for sentence, The man admitted making a false ! statement to the police alleging that his boat, and trailer had been I stolen, and fraudulently! attempting to obtain $5OOO from an insurance company. ' j Sergeant |J, W. Dwyer said that on January 25 the defendant reported that his 40ft boat, and trailer, had been taken from a hotel car-park. Three days later he made a claim with his insurance company for the loss of the property. The boat and trailer were later recovered at a Christchurch address. The defendant after examin-

i ( !i I ' ing the boat denied it was his. j ; ' The boat was subsequently identified by a previous owner.! The defendant admitted he had sold the unit. j] I When questioned by (the police the ! defendant said he needed the money! for house renovations. | The application for suppression of name, made by counsel, Mr P. ( F. Whiteside, was heard in Chambers. WOUNDING CHARGE A stabbing incident in a cell at Paparua Prison led to the appearance of a prison inmate, handcuffed to a prison officer, charged with wounding. Llewellyn | Robert Beard, ( aged 123, I was charged j with wounding Jeffery I Alan J Stephens with intent to cause! him grievous l bodily harm. Beard was remanded in custody |to March 11: INJURY CHARGE Bail was not opposed for a man charged with assaulting Donald Robert Casparris with intent to injure him, and resisting a

policeman. I ; ! Geoffrey David Tutty, aged 18, unemployed, was remanded without plea to March (11. i ' ■ The police said the alleged offences occurred on March 3. BAIL OPPOSED Bail was opposed; by the police (for a man (facing charges of possessing (an airgun (with intent to commit aggravated robbery, having- his face masked by night, and while armed attempting to rob John Bell of cash. Thej accused, aged 19, unemployed, was remanded in. custody j to March 11. | ■(! Because of the medical condition of a relative he was granted interim suppression of his name, j j A (duty solicitor, (Mr David Stringer, sought bail, and interim suppression \ of the accused’s name, who he said, was a first offender. ( The charge relates to an incident in which an allegedly armed man, wearing a face mask was seen! in a car-park. The

police were called. THEFT CHARGE Interim suppression of name (was granted to two company directors charged with the theft of 56 pattern plates, valued at $2BOO, from a Christchurch foundry. Thej defendants were . charged with committing the offence between February 23 and 28. Although not legally represented during their brief (afternoon appearance, the pair elected trial by jury. Both were remarided to April 20 for the taking of depositions. DEFERRED SENTENCE A (12-month deferred sentence, coupled with the payment of $l5OO in reparation, was imposed on a man who received 75 stolen shirts, valued at $2250. Russell James Brown, aged 36, an insurance salesman (Mr C. A. Ruane), committed the three offences between September last year, and January. He, was convicted after a defended hearing.