Refugee sent to prison

Press, 13 September 1988, Page 14

Refugee sent to prison

A Hungarian-born refugee, earlier convicted of unlawfully possessing a 12-gauge shotgun, an explosive device, and ammunition, with which, he said, he had intended to threaten an Immigration officer, was sent to prison for eight months by Judge Hattaway yesterday. In the District Court, the Judge told Joseph Tarkany, aged 50, unemployed, that the offences were serious and that prison was the only appropriate penalty. On the applicaton of the police, the Judge ordered that the shotgun, ammunition, and explosive device, be forfeited to the Crown. Counsel, Mr G. F. French, submitted that his client’s offending, last month, arose out of his frustration at still being held in New Zealand, coupled with a misunderstanding over conditions he believed had been imposed on him by the Immigration Department. Tarkany had hoped that the attendant media publicity would hasten his deportation from New Zealand, said Mr French.

After seven months, the future residency of Tarkany was no further forward because diplomatic efforts to find a country which would take him had failed.

As a stateless person, Tarkany had been forced to live off his wits and most of his past criminal record had involved housebreaking and petty theft, said Mr French. Tarkany was arrested in Marlborough last November after it was discovered he had entered New Zealand on a false Swiss passport. DEPOSITIONS A man, aged 58, charged with the attempted murder of his wife on August 29 was remanded to December 7 for the taking of depositions.

Interim suppression of the name of the accused was continued. The accused, as a condition of bail, was ordered to stay away from the complainant, live with his brother in Rangiora,. and to stay away from licensed premises.

COMMUNITY SERVICE A mother of two, earlier convicted of selling cannabis on four occasions to an undercover police officer was sentenced to 160 hours of community service. In all, the police officer paid Gladys Eileen Mathews, aged 31, $2lO. Three of the sales were made in hotels and one at her home.

Her partner, Roy Turoia Kuka, aged 31, a beneficiary, was sentenced to 120 hours of community service.

He had been convicted on two charges of selling cannabis bullets for $3O to a police officer, and with possessing a small quantity of cannabis material at his address. The two committed the offences to obtain some extra income, said counsel (Mr C. McVeigh). INDECENCY OFFENCE On the application of the police, and on the order of the Judge, the police summary of facts relating to indecencies on a girl, aged six, by a student, aged 18, was suppressed.

The accused admitted indecently assaulting the girl, and inducing her to do an indecent act on him, on August 17.

He was convicted and remanded on bail to September 27 for sentence. INJURY CHARGE

Bail was opposed for a man facing charges arising out of an incident in which an axe was used during a fight after an allnight party in Linwood on Sunday.

Michael Edward Norman, aged 26, a labourer (Mr P. J. O’Donnell), was remanded in custody to’ September 19. ■ He is charged with possessing an axe in circumstances which showed an intention to use it to commit an offence involving bodily injury, and with injuring Jason Houston King with intent to injure him.

The complainant suffered injuries which required hospital treatment. FRAUD OFFENCES

Compensation of $2BOO was sought by Stephen John Matthews who was convicted on 29 charges

of fraud incurring debts and theft.

Matthews, aged 33, a sickness beneficiary, committed the offences in various parts of New Zealand between August 22 and 26.

The offending mainly involved the defendant staying at hotels and motels and leaving without paying.

He was remanded in custody to September 27 for sentence. BURLGARY CHARGE

Two men charged with the burglary of the New Brighton Medical Centre on Sunday were each remanded to September 19 without plea. Warren Edward Drew, aged 23, a tattooist, was remanded in custody. Peter Geoffrey Whall, aged 29, unemployed, was granted bail. Drew is additionally charged with possessing instruments capable of being used to commit burglary, and the theft of a $550 leather jacket. Whall is also charged with being in possession of prescription drugs, noctamid and temgesic.