French legionnaire had ‘back-up’ passport

Press, 23 September 1988, Page 24

French legionnaire had ‘back-up’ passport

A fine of $5OO was imposed on a man who five years ago forged a New Zealand passport application because he wanted a “back-up” passport while serving in combat with the French Foreign Legion. Shane Anthony Little, aged 26 (Mr P. L. O’Brien), pleaded guilty to the offence before Judge Fraser in the District Court yesterday. Sergeant J. W. Dwyer said that in July, 1984, an Akaroa resident made an application for a New Zealand passport. The Department of Internal Affairs discovered that in August, 1983, a passport had been issued in the name of the Akaroa applicant. Investigations by the police into the dual application found the first application to have been false, said Sergeant Dwyer.

Little was identified as the first applicant. He was arrested on his return from France last week. Counsel, Mr O’Brien, said the passport was not obtained for any sinister or monetary purpose. Little, who had just completed a tour of duty in Singapore with the N.Z. Army, was keen to see combat. He went to France and joined the Foreign Legion. The passport, along with Little’s personal effects, was held by the legion during his service and so was not used by him, said Mr O’Brien. In imposing the fine, Judge Fraser said he gave weight to the fact that the false passport was not used by the defendant. An order Was made for the immediate payment of $3OO with the balance over a period of time. ROBBERY CHARGE A woman previously held in custody on a charge of aggravated robbery was granted bail because of the length of the remand to the depositions

hearing in December. Michelle Staiger, aged 19, mother of a six-month-old baby, is charged that being armed with a knife she robbed a woman, aged 62, of a handbag, two cheque books, and $3OO in cash, on September 14. The alleged offence took place in the car park of the Sydenham Mall. As a condition of bail, a residential curfew was imposed and Staiger was ordered to report to the police at Geraldine twice a week. RUGBY JERSEYS Two hundred rugby jerseys, valued at $BOOO, were stolen by an employee of Canterbury International, Ltd, who his counsel, Mr C. A. Ruane, said “had a gambling problem.” Lee John Simpson, aged 28, was convicted and remanded on bail to October 13 for sentence. He committed the offending during the years he was employed by the firm, said Sergeant Dwyer. Lionel Barry Quill, aged 47, unemployed (Mrs A. Baines), was convicted on a charge of receiving 25 jerseys, valued at $1336. He was convicted and remanded on bail to October 13 for sentence. HIGH COURT An unemployed man who sold two pounds, two ounces (964 g of cannabis to an undercover police officer for $5170 was committed to the High Court for sentence next month, after Judge Fraser declined jurisdiction. Graeme Leslie Tinning, aged 28 (Mr S. C. Barker), admitted the four offences, which took place in April and May. Tinning told police he only made $4OO from the sales, which were made on behalf of someone else, said Sergeant Dwyer.

The defendant said he only became involved because he was down on his luck, and had a drinking

problem. PRISON TERM A youth who received two cars, to a total value of $25,000, which were later found dismantled or cut up for parts was sent to prison for nine months. Wayne Jeffrey Crown, aged 18, unemployed (Mr C. D. Eason), had admitted receiving two Holden cars valued at $14,000 and $ll,OOO, respectively in May and July. The Judge made no order for the $20,000 compensation. TWO YEARS PRISON A man earlier convicted on charges of burglary and aggravated assault was sent to prison dor two years. Erik Tyler Hynde, aged 24, unemployed (Mr A. N. D. Garrett), committed the two offences on the night of August 13. When a television he had taken was grabbed from Hynde, he wielded a bayonet in front of him. COMMUNITY CARE Community care for 12 months was the sentence given to Hemi Taylor Lewis in whose possession police found a quantity of prescription drugs after he was taken outside after appearing in an intoxicated state in the No. 1 Courtroom on August 31. Lewis, aged 20, a freezing worker . (Mr T. M. Fournier), had admitted four charges of possessing the drugs; He told police he had bought them earlier in the day and that they were for his own use. i CHARGE DENIED Because publication could affect his business, interim suppression of name was granted to a, man, aged 41. He denied a charge that with intent to offend, or insult a woman, he did an indecent act in a paddock in Cuthberts Road, on Augusts. The accused was remanded to November 29 for a defended hearing.