OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 458, 20 October 1992, Page 16

OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

The following cases were heard by Judge Richard Watson in the Ohakune District Court earlier this month (Thursday 8 October). Police-sergeant Bob Evans of Ohakune appeared for the prosecution. Remanded at large Kelvin Patrick Edmonds, 20, unemployed of Raetihi, was remanded at large to 19 November on one charge of unlawfully taking a Bank of New Zealand cheque book (property of

Siegfried Bauer) on a date between 31 August and 3 September. Edmonds also faces four charges of using four cheques from that cheque book to obtain a pecuniary advantage to himself. Counsel: Paul Brown. Senlenced on joint charges Jerry Moses Tamatea, 19, part-time labourer and Bessine Tui-Te Reinanu Pehi, 18 unemployed, both of Ohakune, appeared for sentence on charges involving theft and receiving of bread

and confectionery. Thirty-seven loaves of bread and 60 hamburger buns were stolen from a bread van in Miro Street on 21 August. On the same night the Parklands Dairy was broken into and confectionery stolen. Many of these items were found next day in the vehicle which Pehi had been driving. Mr Paul Brown, who represented both defendants explained that his client Pehi had been drinking to excess on the night in question but had no prior knowledge of

the incidents... she had been caught up in what others were doing when she agreed to drive the car. Judge Watson agreed that her role had been a minor one but she had nevertheless been involved in serious criminal activity because "she hadn't the wit or courage to avoid getting involved. She was sentenced to 40-hours community service on each charge and ordered to pay $96 as her part of the reparation. T aumatea, who had also pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing, with others, goods to the value of $2,880 from a

New Zealand Rail wagon at the Junction on the same night, was remanded on bail until 19 November for probation and reparation reports and sentence. Final warning Brent William Waho, 21, unemployed of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to converting a 1965 Austin Mini valued at $430 at Shannon on 28 September. He was also appearing on an earlier charge of taking a tractor for his own use in order to "save himself a long walk home". Neither vehicle was damaged. Because Waho was already on parole he was given a final warning and fined $200, court costs $95 on each charge. He was disqualified for 4 months. Counsel: Paul Brown. Failed to stop Michael Cyril Wills, 22, fitter and turner of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle and failing to stop after an accident. The charges arose out of an incident on 23 August when defendant was turning right from Thames Street into Rimu Street and, losing control on the snow-covered surface, slid into two parked cars outside the Hot Lava Nightclub. Through counsel, Mr Brian Mason, Court heard that a passenger in defendant' s vehicle reported no damage being done so

Wills decided to continue driving. However it was later ascertained that one of the vehicles struck had sustained $600 damage. No quote has yet been received for cost of damage to the other vehicle. Judge Watson said that even though snow had contributed to the accident defendant had obviously been driving too fast for the prevailing conditions and it was the duty of every driver to stop following an accident. Wills was convicted and fined $200, court costs $95, on each charge and disqualified for 2 months (concurrent) on each charge. Attempt to defraud Anthony Peter Gibson, 24, unemployed ski mechanic of Auckland, was remanded to appear in the Taihape District Court on 3 December on charges of attempting to defraud Turoa Ski Resort Limited by changing the identity photographs on a midweek season ski pass between 29 June and 15 September. Counsel: Brian Mason. "Minor incident" Shane David Griffin, 20, truck-driver of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle in New Plymouth on 1 August. Court heard how defendant had been re-

routed along an unfamiliar road while driving his truck through New Plymouth and, while changing lanes in order to turn, had 'clipped* the rear of a Mercedes car, damaging its rear light. The lane-changing manoeuvre had been made late because of poor road markings. Both drivers had stopped and exchanged details. Judge Watson agreed with counsel that the accident had been "a minor one which doesn't usually end up in Court". Defendant was convicted and fined $100. No period of disqualification was imposed. Counsel: Brian Mason. Two charges, two pleas Warwick Francis Burling, 44, mechanic of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle in Railway Row, Ohakune Junction, on 6 July but not guilty to driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 450/1 on that date. He was remanded to appear for a defended hearing on 19 November when the careless driving charge will also be heard. Counsel Brian Mason said that it would be appropriate to hear these charges at the same time as those against his other client Turley