Second chance for Ohakune bushman

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 396, 23 July 1991, Page 11

Second chance for Ohakune bushman

The following cases were heard in the Ohakune District Court last Thursday by Judge Bathgate of Nelson. Police Sergeant Bob Evans of Ohakune appeared for the prosecution. Senior Traffic Sergeant Buck Buchanan of Taumarunui and Traffic Officer Ian Harrison of Ohakune appeared for the Ministry of Transport. Another chance Stephen Hoani Brown, 20, bushman of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking Berrys Bookshop's plate glass window valued at $900 on 23 May. Court heard how defendant had been angry after an argument and had

'taken it out' on the window. His counsel, Paul Brown, said that his client's behaviour had improved since he obtained employment a month ago after being out of work for two years during which time he had committed a number of offences. As evidence of this changed behaviour, Mr Brown, said defendant had saved the $900 reparation from his wages and was able to make immediate payment to the court. Judge Bathgate concurred with defence counsel and despite the long list of convictions said he would give defendant another chance. He was convicted and fined $100, court costs $65 and ordered to make immediate reparation payment of $900. Burglary charge Kevin Douglas Bull, 40, ACC beneficiary of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a dwelling house in Station Road, Raetihi be-

tween 17 and 20 May. Property to the value of $6250 was allegedly taken, but the value of this property is contested by defendant and his counsel. Following a search of defendant's home police recovered property to the value of about $3000 but this amount is also contested. Defendant was convicted and remanded on bail to appear in the Ohakune District Court on 15 August for a probation officers' report and sentence and a reparation assessment report. Counsel: Brian Mason. Voluntary appearance James Edward Foubister, 24, ski mechanic of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to one charge of careless use of a motor vehicle in Thames Street, Ohakune, on 29 September 1990 and to one charge of refusing

to supply a blood sample. Asked why this case had taken so long to come before the court, Sergeant Bob Evans said defendant had been overseas and was now making a voluntary appearance. Defendant was convicted and fined $1000, court costs $65 and disqualified from driving for 12 months on the charge of refusing to supply a blood sample. On the second charge, defendant was convicted and fined $50, court costs $65 and disqualified for three months. No appearancewarrant io a rrest David Richard Allen, 28, bushman of Tau-

marunui, was to have appeared on a charge of assaulting Aran Brent Shivnan on 9 May. Following his failure to appear, a warrant for arrest was issued. Illegal fishing Two defendants, Phillip Wayne Keenan, 24, butcher and Neil Noel Randall, unemployed, both of Ohakune, were charged with attempting to take game fish illegally from the Ohakune Lake on 18 November 1990. Keenan was charged that he did not have a current fishing licence while Randall pleaded guilty by letter to a charge of fishing without a licence and using a hand line. {Je was convicted and fined $300, court costs $130 as well

as a $75 solicitor's fee on each charge Court heard that the letter from defendant Keenan had not been received and he was remanded to appear on 15 August for the taking of a plea. Paul Brown represented the Department of Conservation. False identity Shane Christopher Hooks, 27, of Auckland was convicted on a charge of supplying a false name when he was stopped and asked for identification on SH49 in April. Ohakune Traffic Officer Ian Harrison testified that defendant had supplied the name of Wilson, but after checking the vehicle and driver's licence with the Wanganui computer, defendant admitted he had provided a false iden-

tity. He was convicted and fined $200, court costs $65. Remanded for sentence Damian Mark Picchi, 19, unemployed of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking and entering Kenson Industries Ltd. Levin, on 28 September last year. Court heard how defendant had gained entry to the building by removing some louvre windows. Once inside he caused damage valued at about $300 by spray ing black ink around before stealing property to the value of $5241. He was convicted and remanded to appear in the Ohakune District Court on 15 August for a probation officers report and sentence as well as a reparation report. Counsel: Brian Mason.