Detention for dairy robbery

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 18

Detention for dairy robbery

A girl, aged 15, who confronted a Colombo Street dairy assistant with a meat cleaver in June, was sentenced yesterday to six months periodic detention and 18 months supervision, by Justice Tipping in the High Court. Rana Marie Tapara, of Rockinghorse Road, New Brighton, had earlier pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery. Miss Catherine Cull appeared for the Crown, and Mr Richard Peters for Tapara. At a hearing in the Children and Young Per-' sons Court, the court heard that on June 13 about 6 p.m. Tapara went into the Brown Derby Dairy in Colombo Street, walked behind the counter and confronted the shop assistant. She produced a meat cleaver and held it centimetres away from the assistant’s face. She had then said “This is a hold-up, give me all your money,” and handed the assistant a bag, ordering her to fill it up. The

assistant put about $5O into the bag, and Tapara ran out. Tapara admitted the offence on June 16 and later returned the meat cleaver to the police voluntarily. The assistant was not injured. Mr Peters said Tapara was now getting guidance and support from foster parents, and had started to display greater maturity and responsibility for her life. Mr Justice Tipping said only Tapara’s age saved her from prison, and she was too young for corrective training. He said the sentencing was held in the High Court because the charge was too serious to be considered by the Children and Young Persons Court. But he said there were aspects of her background which were positive. “I urge you to make use of the talents you possess before it is too late,” he said.