Counsel criticises probation service

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 50

Counsel criticises probation service

It was incredible, that the probation service did not Know that a man was to be sentenced that day because a woman probation officer had ' telepho ied! him and told him that his client, .who was in Addington Prison, wanted to see ( him, Mr Mervyn Glu; said in the’; High Cou/t yesterday. | M E|aniel Timora Pihema, aged (21, ’ a. contract paidter; was to be sen- ; tended: on a joint charge with two other! persons of the robbery of a leather jacket valued at' $440 Helen Heanley in Colombo Street • on December 13. Mr Justice Williamson

remanded Pihema on bail to May 27 on i condition thatj he live at Odyssey (House and undergo the (initial drug treatment programme. Mr John ! Sandston appeared for the Crown. i Mr-'Glue, for Pihema, said that his client pledded guilty Rafter the taking of depositions and was! committed to the High Court for sentence. He understood that\the Coujtt notified the probation service of the date for I sentence, yet no report was available.! Fjihema had been in custody since: January 23. i He | played a very minor •r.ole in the robbery and

just stood by. He claimed that Ifie did ; not have 'a knife/. J ( / i : Odyssey- House, the drugirehabilitation centre, was . willing jto haye Pihema. Counsel submitted ■ tlia’t if his client was sentenced to a substantial term) of periodic detention he would be! able to take treatment, Mr Glue said. Mrj Justice Williamson said l that Pihema had a real ; problem with drugs, but hfe was now prepared to do! something about it. j If (the Odyssey House programme-did not work out; (Pihema would be brought back to the Court for sentence, he said.