Escapers sentenced

Press, 2 July 1983, Page 4

Escapers sentenced

Two men who committed 16 offences in the eight days they were at large after escaping from Paparua Prison, each had 18 months added on to their existing prison terms when they appeared for sentence before Judge Fogarty in the District Court yesterday. All the offences were serious, the Judge told Paul Statesman-West, aged 32, a manager (Mr R. Venning), and Anthony John Downey, aged 21, a storeman (Mr M. J. Glue). A custodial sentence was appropriate, he said. Both men had each earlier admitted 13 charges of burglary, two of unlawfully taking vehicles, and one of stealing a dinghy, used to row out to Ripapa Island where, on May 31, they were recaptured. The pair escaped from the prison kitchen at 5.40 a.m. on May 23. Most of the property stolen from the houses they burgled had been recovered. Both Mr Glue and Mr Venning said the offences were of a “survival” nature, and that there was nothing of a George Wilder about either of the two defendants. 10 MONTHS JAIL A man earlier convicted of nine offences of fraud, involving more than $6OOO worth of property, was sent to prison for ten months. The Judge told William James Daw, aged 24, unemployed (Mr D. J. Taffs) that his offending was “quite despicable” in that bank books and credit cards be-

longing to a hospitalised flatmate had been used. “Offending of this nature merits only one sentence — a period of imprisonment,” he said. The Judge made no order for the $5984 compensation sought. DEPOSITIONS A man facing 16 charges elected trial by jury. Warwick James Booth, aged 21, an unemployed serviceman (Mr D. C. Fitzgibbon) was remanded to October 11 for the taking of depositions. Booth faces eight charges of theft, three of burglary, one of receiving, and four of selling cannabis. He is charged with having committed the offences between June 1, 1982, and March, this year. INCEST CHARGES A man, aged 37, and a girl, aged 17, each charged with committing incest with the other, were further remanded without plea. The girl, represented by Mr M. J. Glue, was remanded on bail of $5OO to July 7. The man, represented by Mr W. Rosenberg, was remolded on bail of $750 to July 22 and is to undergo a psychiatric examination. Interim suppression of the names of the two defendants was continued. BURGLARIES An unemployed man who admitted committing three burglaries because he needed money, was convicted and remanded in custody to July 15 for a proba-

tion report and sentence. Peter Geoffrey Whall, aged 23, burgled the premises of Wilson Neill Appliances at Northlands on June 26, Redwood Electrical Services on June 22, and the Northcote Primary School on June 20. Sergeant M. J. South said that from these burglaries Whall obtained property worth almost $5OOO, the bulk of which was later recovered at his address. Compensation in relation to property damage, amounting to $l2BO, was sought, said Sergeant South. 23 OFFENCES A timber worker who was convicted on a total of 23 offences, all but one for

stealing property, to a total value of more than $2OOO, was remanded in custody to July 8 for a probation report and sentence. Sergeant South said that the defendant, Patrick Chesmar, appeared in court as the result of the work in Christchurch over the last 11 months by an undercover policeman. On four occasions the officer met the defendant from whom he purchased some of the stolen property. A large quantity of the property was recovered at the defendant’s address. Chesmar, aged 19 (Mr D. J. Taffs), told police that he committed the offences because of financial difficulties.