Used Offensive Weapon

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30979, 8 February 1966, Page 3

Used Offensive Weapon

CN’.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. After a group of youths had attacked a friend of his with belts with studs and razor blades attached, a 20 - year - old Canadian decided he ■ should carry a length of metal pipe for pre*

tection, the Wellington Magistrate’s Court was told in evidence today.

Wayne Alen Missel, a mechanic, pleaded not guilty today when he was charged that he had with him in a public place an offensive weapon—a length of IJin water pipe. Missel also faced three other charges arising from an incident at a coffee bar in Ghuznee street on January 31. He pleaded guilty to each of them.

Mr M. B. Scully, S.M., convicted and fined Missel £lO plus £1 10s costs on the offensive weapon charge and £lO each, plus costs, on the three other charges. They were that on January 31 at Wellington he used obscene language in Ghuznee street, resisted a police constable in the execution of his duty, and behaved in a disorderly manner. Seen By Police

’ Constable D. C. Monroe said that in Edward street at 11.30 p.m. on January 29 he saw two men, and one of them was carrying a piece of pipe. Constable Monroe stopped his patrol car and took the pipe off the person, whom he identified as the accused. The accused then disappeared before the constable could find out what the pipe was for.

Constable E. R. Jordan, on duty at the Taranaki street police station on February 4, said he interviewed the accused, who told him that he was carrying the pipe because he was looking for a group of Maori youths who had attacked his friend. Missel told the witness that lif the group attacked him he would use the pipe. In Court Missel said that he was carrying the pipe for protection as a friend of his 4

was "jumped” by a group of youths, who had hit him with a belt with studs and razor blades on it.

He said that he had no intention of using the pipe —he only wanted it for protection.

Referring to the other charges, Inspector N. G. Howes said that the accused had been in New Zealand eight weeks. He said that at 1.30 a.m. on January 31, a police sergeant was attending a disturbance at the coffee bar and the accused had repeatedly used obscene language. He was ready for a fight and when the police tried to get him into the back of the police van he struggled and would not get inside.