OPOTIKI VANDALISM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 3

OPOTIKI VANDALISM

ACCUSED BEFORE COURT gaol for three months (From Our Own Correspondent.) OPOTIKI, To-day. In the Police Court this morning Noel Stromberg appeared on remand from yesterday, and was charged with being on the enclosed premises of the Church of England without lawful excuse on Sunday night. Accused had been acting in a peculiar manner, glaring in people’s faces Later in the evening a sound of smashing glass was heard, and Constable Clist, investigating, found that nine church windows had been broken, and a pair of boots slashed with a sharp instrument. Accused was found near hiding. The constable grabbed at him but missed. Later a big plate-glass window in a shop was found broken. Accused, when arrested, had a sharp knife and raeor in his possession. Several witnesses testified as to accused's peculiar behaviour earlier in the evening, but the police and other evidence failed to show that Stromberg had been on the church premises. Counsel asked that the charge ka dismissed as there was no evidence at accused being on the property. Justices Moody and Clark said there was no direct evidence that accused was on church premises, but circumstantial evidence pointed to the fact that accused was there. They sentenced Stromberg to three months’ imprisonment. with a recommendation that he receive medical attention.