Community care

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 406, 1 October 1991, Page 10

Community care

Clyde William Clarke, 22, labourer of Raetihi, was given a 12-month community care sentence when he appeared for sentence after earlier pleading to a charge of

breaking and entering the Waimarino Club in Raetihi on 28 July. Court heard the "somewhat bizarre" account of how defendant, who had been a member of the Waimarino Club and had earlier been drinking on the premises that evening, retumed to the club after closing time and had forced entry to the bar from which he obtained and paid for a beer by leaving money on the counter. He was found in an inebriated state at the bar by a police officer. Through counsel, defendant agreed he had an alcohol problem and had already made arrangement to attend a drug and alcohol centre for counselling and treatment. He had also been back to the club to apologise for his behaviour, paid $109 reparation for the damage done and these actions, coupled with the fact that defendant had a lot. of community support, resulted in a sentence of 12 month 's community care. Counsel: Paul Brown