Prison for driving offence

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 22

Prison for driving offence

Facing his 17th charge of driving while disqualified, a man was given a six-months prison sentence when he appeared for sentence in the District Court yesterday. The defendant, Nigel Christopher McDonald, aged 24, unemployed, was given another one month in prison for committing a breach of his parole. He was given a concurrent sentence of sixmonths imprisonment for failing to answer to his bail.

His counsel, Mr J. W. Appleby, had sought a sentence of periodic detention.

Judge Erber told McDonald he had shown repeated contemptuous disregard for the orders of the Court. He had an extensive history of failing to comply with orders of the Court, and escaping from custody. He seemed unable to accept the restrictions necessary to place on his behaviour.

The Judge reserved the question of the period of McDonald’s disqualification for the driving offence, until next month, when he will appear on

defended matters. FIVE MONTHS JAIL

Five-months imprisonment was imposed on Terence James Baker, aged 38, unemployed. He appeared for sentence on a charge of obtaining $B5O from PostBank by falsely representing that another bank’s cheque, make payable to him, was genuine. The Judge said Baker had 44 previous convictions for offences involving dishonesty. For driving when he had an excessive level of alcohol in his blood (149 milligrams, per 100 millilitres of blood), Baker was convicted and disqualified from driving for nine months.

Counsel, Mr J. S. Halls, had sought a term of periodic detention. The Judge said Baker had been a persistent offender and had been given chances by the Court, but had not availed himself of these.

The public interest had to take precedence.

PERIODIC DETENTION A sentence of four months periodic detention was imposed on Darryn Wayne Chappell, aged 20, unemployed (Mrs M.

Sewell), whom the Judge said was a small-time dealer in cannabis.

Chappell appeared for sentence on a charge of selling cannabis to a person over 18 years on November 14.

The Judge said the amount of drug involved was not great. However, selling cannabis was a serious offence. GIFTS BY FRAUDS

A sickness beneficiary who purchased items totalling $879.30 from 10 city stores on December 10, using another person’s Postßank Bankcard, told the police when questioned that he wanted to buy Christmas presents for his family. The defendant, Christopher John Harper, aged 19, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of using the Bankcard to obtain for himself a financial advantage, and one of attempting to use the card.

He was convicted and remanded on bail to January 13 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant M. J. South said the card had been reported stolen by the owner.

Harper used the card in

10 shops on December 9 to obtain goods, including clothing, shoes, cigarettes, handbags, towels and a record and tapes. All but $31.28 worth of the property was recovered.

ASSAULTED WOMAN Four offences committed in Palmerston North in October, and an assault on a woman in Christchurch on December 11 were admitted by Kira Timoti Cowan, aged 28, a freezing worker (also known as Kira Hemopo). The Palmerston North offences were of unlawfully possessing 19 halcion tablets, unlawfully possessing cannabis plant, theft of a clutch bag, cassette player and sunglasses, and being found without reasonable excuse in a building.

The assault on a woman on December 11 involved his slapping her, and kicking her in the back of the head after she fell. Cowan was remanded

in custody until Friday for sentence. CULTIVATED CANNABIS For cultivating 73 cannabis plants, and possessing 2000 cannabis seeds, Ross David Wells, aged 28, unemployed, was sentenced to nine months periodic detention.

This will extend a term he is at present serving by six months. He had earlier admitted the offences, which occured on November 21. The cannabis plants, about 35cm high, were found growing at Wells’s premises at New Brighton.

The Judge noted his previous convictions, including cultivating and possessing cannabis. He said if these had occurred more recently Wells would have been imprisoned for this further offence.

He said he was giving Wells a final warning. Mr J. M. Kirkland appeared for Wells.