Intoxicated youth robbed palmist

Press, 24 September 1988, Page 12

Intoxicated youth robbed palmist

His mind befuddled by drink and drugs, a youth concocted a plan to rob a woman who advertised in the newspaper that she gave palm and card readings, because he believed she would have plenty of money. Mr Justice Holland was told this in the High Court yesterday when he jailed Kenneth Daniel Hawkins, aged 20, unemployed, for two years on a charge of aggravated robbery and eight other offences. Hawkins had pleaded guilty to all charges in the District Court. He told the police that he committed most of the offences to get money to feed his drug habit. About 7.20 p.m. on August 9, Hawkins, armed with a .22 rifle, and an associate who had a knifd, entered the home of a woman in Cashel Street, the police statement said. While the woman was entertaining a guest, they ransacked the bedrooms. When the guest left, Hawkins came out of the bedroom and pointed the rifle at the woman’s head. She grabbed the barrel and he moved back and worked the bolt as if putting a bullet in the breech. He told her not to do that agin, and de-

manded rings and money. The woman told him that she did not have any rings, and she gave him $4O. Hawkins’ associate cut the telephone wires and they left. On July 18, Hawkins received a blue Valiant car, which had been stolen from a Christchurch car park, from an associate. He put a false registration plate from a white Valiant on the car, which he painted white.

Hawkins and an associate drove the car to Kaikoura and on the way were involved in a series of minor accidents causing damage of $5OOO. About 11 p.m. on July 18, Hawkins was at a party in Avoca Street, Kaikoura, when he decided to get more liquor from the nearby Pier Hotel. He and another man forced their way into the storeroom, where there was a large quantity of beer and spirits. They made several trips between the hotel and the flat where the party was being held. Liquor worth $8552 was stolen. Hawkins then searched the main part of the hotel, and took four .303 rifles from the private lounge.

He went into the owner’s bedroom and took $237 from a drawer.

The owner woke up and challenged Hawkins, who went to the rear of the premises and gave the money to an associate. Before leaving, Hawkins took a battery from a vehicle and took it to the flat. At 11 a.m. on July 19, the police went to the flat and much of the stolen liquor was recovered. Hawkins told the police he was under the influence of pills and alcohol and had been sniffing glue before the offence. About August 5, Hawkins and an associate smashed a rear window to get into a house in Sawyers Arms Road. They ransacked the house, tipping the contents of drawers on the floor. Property worth $2600 was stolen. On'August 17, Hawkins broke into a home in Vagues Road by forcing a window. Articles worth $lBOO were taken. A short distance from the house a police patrol saw Hawkins carrying a shotgun in Uxbridge Street. He was chased and caught. Mr Tony Garrett, for Hawkins, said that his client had not seriously offended until last year. He was addicted to alcohol and drugs. Hawkins’ abuse of drugs

had become serious, but he had tried to overcome his addiction. The burglaries were not carried out in a “professional manner,” and it was inevitable that he would be caught. This was just as well for his sake, Mr Garrett said. Mr Justice Holland said that Hawkins appeared for sentence on one charge of aggravated robbery, three of burglary, three of theft, one of unlawful possession of a firearm and one of unlawful possession of ammunition. “I’m not sure that your record should be exhibited in the social rooms of schools where people talk of children being able to decide what drugs and alcohol they can take,” said his Honour. Hawkins showed the classic pattern of drug and alcohol abuse and had started offending about the age of 14. As the drugs took hold of him the offending became more serious, and now he faced imprisonment for the first time. He was desperately in need of help. If Hawkins failed to keep clear of drugs and alcohol he would spend most of the rest of his life in prison, said Mr Justice Holland.