Man used ether in van robbery

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 23

Man used ether in van robbery

A man who said he had no desire to hurt anyone used ether spray to overpower the driver of a security van carrying $335,674 in cash and cheques. In the District Court yesterday Clifford Cliff Morris, aged 34, unemployed, admitted the robbery which took place at 2 p.m. on January 20. He was convicted by Judge Holderness who committed him in custody for sentence in the High Court on April 18. Morris was represented by Mr Craig Ruane. All the money was recovered, said Sergeant Pat Creasey.

Morris said he committed the robbery because of financial difficulties and the pressure from creditors.

Sergeant Creasey said the robbery took place when an Armourguard van stopped at a supermarket in the Main North Road on a routine cash pick-up.

As the driver was putting the last of the cash bags into the van, Morris came up behind, pushed him inside, and overpowered him with the use of the ether spray. Morris then hijacked the van. Morris drove to Vagues Road where he had earlier parked another vehicle. He put the money bags in this vehicle but abandoned it and the money when it failed to start. INDECENCY DENIED Interim suppression of name was granted to a man caught by an off-duty

mounted police patrol indecently exposing himself in the Burwood Plantation.

The defendant, aged 48, represented by Mr Mervyn Glue, was remanded to May 12 for a defended hearing. Three members of the Christchurch mounted police patrol were on an off-duty training session when they came across the man in a public area of the plantation on Easter Monday. CHARGES DENIED Charges of attempted murder, rape, and threatening to kill, would be denied by a defendant, aged 39, said his counsel, Mrs Angela Grant.

The accused was further remanded in custody to May 9 for a pre-deposi-tion hearing.

Interim suppression of name was continued.

The charges arose as a result of an incident last month when a woman, aged 21, answered the door of her Avonhead house to a man who allegedly raped her and stabbed her in the chest. SUPPRESSION Interim suppression of name was also granted to a man, aged 76, accused of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old. Suppression was granted as a result of a medical report submitted to the Judge. Bail was not opposed and the defendant was remanded on bail to April 13. DRUG OFFENCE

Thirty-four cannabis seedlings, about 6cm high were found by the police

growing in a 3m x 3m room lit by 72 fluorescent lights. Colin David Piper, aged 27, a steel cutter, admitted cultivating cannabis, which, he told police, was for his own use. The police found the cannabis when searching a garage on March 4. He was convicted and remanded on bail to April 17 for sentence.

REST-HOME THEFTS A man who entered rest homes, and stole property and cash from staff, while posing as a laundry driver, was sentenced to six months jail. David Wayne Marshall, aged 32, unemployed (Mr Erno Bedo), was appearing for sentence on four charges of theft, and four of fraud, committed between January 13 and 21.

In explanation Marshall told police he was short of money at the time. The Judge said Marshall had a lengthy list of convictions for dishonesty, and most recently was sentenced late last year to periodic detention for eight months on 30 offences of using false documents and fraud.

The present offences showed the defendant to be a thoroughly dishonest person, he said.

Mr Bedo sought a sentence of periodic detention coupled with supervision.

He said Marshall was willing to pay the $1306 compensation sought at the rate of $l5 a week.

The Judge noted that in the past the defendant had failed to make agreed reparation payments.