Curfew imposed following burglaries

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 422, 4 February 1992, Page 9

Curfew imposed following burglaries

The following cases were heard by Judge R L Watson in the Ohakune District Court last Thursday. Police Sergeant Bob Evans of Ohakune appeared for the prosecution. Curfew imposed Dwayne Joseph Henare, 21, labourer of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to four charges: breaking and entering Jeans City in Ohakune on 1 January; stealing two pairs of jeans valued at $200; stealing a video cassette tape valued at $20 the property of New Zealand Police; breaking and entering the Kaycee Stores in Seddon Street, Raetihi, on 3 January. He was remanded to appear again on 20 February and ordered to observe a curfew every day from 8pm to 7am until his next Court appearance. An additional condition of bail was that he was not to enter licensed premises in the meantime. Counsel: Brian Mason Dangerous driving charge Ross James Burrows, 31, truck driver of Ohakune was remanded

without plea when he appeared on a charge of dangerous driving on State Highway 49 on 4 October. He is to appear again on 20 February for the taking of a plea. Counsel: Brian Mason Possession Alex Patrick Cook, 24, hostel manager, pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of cannabis extract on 18 December and to one charge of possession of implements (knives) for the purpose of committing an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act on the same date. Court heard that these items had been found at defendant's home address and not at the hostel premises which indicated they were for his own personal use so there was no question of supply. Defendant had admitted his offence to his employers, who had a firm policy about drugs in hostels, and his explanation had been accepted by his employers who provided defendant with an otherwise excellent reference

which was presented to Court. Defendant was convicted and fined $250, court costs $85, on the charge of possessing cannabis extract and on the charge of possessing cannabis-related utensils he was fined $150, court costs $85. Both fines were to be paid off at the rate of $50 per week. Counsel: Brian Mason Three charges Adam Dominic Stephen Haitana, 25, unemployed of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to two charges and was remanded without plea on a third. Guilty pleas were accepted on one charge of driving with excess breath alcohol in Putaruru on 26 December and on one charge of refusing to accompany a traffic officer when required to do so under the Transport Act of 1962. On this second charge of refusing to accompany when requested, Court heard that defendant had replied in "the traditional Anglo-Saxon vernacular". The charge on which no plea was entered was that of breaking and entering the Kaycee Stores in Seddon Street, Raetihi, on 3 January. On the two charges to which he had pleaded guilty defendant was convicted and sentenced to 120 hours community service to be served concurrently and disqualified from driving or obtaining a licence for 10 months. On the charge to which he entered no plea he was remanded to appear again on 20 February. Counsel: Brian Mason. Bail conditions breached George Lee Hemara, 22, unemployed of Rangataua, was charged with breaking his bail conditions which included a curfew, when he was found on licensed premises outside his

curfew hours and committed assault on a traffic officer and causing intentional damage when he damaged a MoT car radio on 24 January. He was remanded to appear on 13 February for a defended hearing on several charges and to answer these additional charges. Intentional damage Ian Thomas Hemara, 17, unemployed of

Ohakune, pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing intentional damage to a window, the property of Roger Bransgrove, on 6 February. He was remanded on bail to appear on 19 March of a defended hearing. Counsel: Brian Mason Warrant for arrest Donald Kerewaro Mihinui, 19, shearer of

Hamilton, was to have appeared on a charge of being found in a public place and behaving in a manner which inferred he was preparing to commit a crime on 19 January. When he failed to appear a warrant for his arrest was issued. Driving while disqualified Dale Anthony Pearson, 32, painter of Stratford, was to have appeared on a charge of driving while disqualified on State Highway 49 on 23 December.

When he failed to appear a warrant for his arrest was sought and granted. Intentional damage David Douglas Speers, 25, unemployed, pleaded guilty to two charges of intentional damage in Kaponga on 25 January. Court heard how defendant had broken two windows with his bare fists in anger and frustration after learning that a vehicle in which he had been expecting a Turnpage 10

OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

From page 9 lift had already left without him. He was convicted and fined $100, court costs $85 on each charge and ordered to make reparation of $228. Shop-lifting Jason James Taiaroa, 21, shearer of Raetihi, was convicted and fined $150, court costs $85, when he appeared on a charge of stealing a packet of cigarettes valued at $6.50 from the Ritz Tearooms in Raetihi on 14 December. Defendant was warned that as this was his fourth shop-lifting offence, any further charge of shop-lifting could result in a custodial sentence being imposed.

Deterrent fine imposed Graham Alan Snowball, 32, shepherd of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing two Friesian-Jersey Cross calves, the property of Owen Maru in Takahi Valley Road, on or about 2 November last year. In imposing a fine of $500, court costs $85, Judge Watson said that he hoped it would act as a substantial deterrent to others who might be thinking of engaging in what was formerly known as 'cattle rustling'. Defendant was ordered to pay the fine at the rate of $50 per week and an order was made for the return of the cattle. Counsel: Paul Brown

Theft of plants Aran Brent Shivnan, 26, chef of Ohakune, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing eight plants valued at $100 the property of the Ohakune Tyre and Energy Centre on 16 January. He was remanded to appear on 20 February for a defended hearing. Counsel: Brian Mason Receiving Jerry Henare, 23, unemployed of Ohakune, was convicted and sentenced to 75 hours community service when he appeared on a charge of receiving six pairs of jeans knowing them to have been stolen or dishonestly obtained. Court heard how these jeans, which were some

of the 30 pairs of jeans which had been stolen from Jeans City on 14 December, were found in a cupboard in defendants' home when police executed a search warrant on 18 December. Counsel: Brian Mason Seeking witness Peter Arahanga, 28, unemployed of Raetihi, appeared for a defended hearing on a drink-driv-ing charge - he was found behind the wheel of a stationary car in the Junction area of Ohakune on Father's Day last year - but as the MoT were unable to produce the witness they sought, the case did not proceed. Judge Watson remanded defendant to 19 March to give the MoT the chance to locate their witness or the charge will be with-

drawn. Counsel: Brian Mason Discharged without conviction Roger William Bransgrove, 29, manager of Ohakune, was discharged without conviction after his counsel, Mr Paul Brown, explained that his client had changed his plea to guilt under some possible misapprehension that he might have been eligible for diversion when he was charged with possession of cannabis on 3 September last year. Counsel explained that after executing a search warrant on defendant's home and business premises, during which they found nothing, police later located a small butt in defendant's motor vehicle which was also used by

many others in the course of his business. In discharging defendant, who admitted to having occasionally used cannabis, Judge Watson said he couldn't be certain, beyond reasonable doubt, that the butt found in the car had belonged to the defendant and, because some confusion existed over his admission of guilt, defendant may have forfeited some rights. Remanded without plea Vernon Leslie McLeod, 22, unemployed of Ohakune, was remanded without plea to appear again on 20 February to answer a charge of breaking and entering the Kaycee Stores in Seddon Street, Raetihi, on 3 January. Counsel: Brian Mason