Detention for beer theft

Press, 21 July 1988, Page 17

Detention for beer theft

Greymouth Reporter “I’m not going to ask any favours, but I told my Mum I would be home tonight In Christchurch,” an unemployed man, aged 30, told Judge Mahon in the District Court at Greymouth yesterday.

Cyril Douglas Bain (Mr M. M. Bell) appeared for sentence on a charge of stealing a 50-litre keg of beer from the cellar of the Ngahere Hotel on July 6.

Mr Bell said that the offence was alcohol-

related. Bain had been released from prison only a month ago, and the beer had been partially consumed at a friend’s house. He accepted that he had to pay compensation. Counsel submitted that a sentence ' of periodic detention would be appropriate. From the dock, Bain said, “I love my mother.” The Judge: It must be hard for her at the moment to love you; you are a pain in the neck. Bain continued that he

had told his mother he would return home. The Judge told him that he did not intend to jail him for the offence.

Bain continued, “I love my mother. I know I have given her a hard time, but I want to make it up.” The: Judge said that he could do that if he gave up consuming alcohol. “If you don’t get off the booze you will be dead.” Bain was sentenced to four months periodic detention at the Brisbane Street centre in Christchurch.