BACK TO JAIL FOR DRIVER

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 5, 21 January 1971, Page 5

BACK TO JAIL FOR DRIVER

A 33-year-old Reporoa driver, released from prison in August, 1970 after serving a three year sentence, was sent back to prison for nine months when he appeared in the Taupo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday charged with theft.

Henare Wawatai admitted the offence involving a 1969 Holden Belmont car, valued at $3300, to Mr M. C. Astley, S.M. Senior Sergeant R. Moncur said the car, a rental vehicle, had been hired out on November 20 in Auckland to a James Mason, on the condition that it be returned on November 23. The car was not returned

on the due date and the rental firm reported the stolen vehicle to 'the police. On December 19 the car with changed number plates, was seen in Taupo and at 5.30 a.m. Wawatai was seen by police in a patrol car to get into the stolen vehicle. A high speed chase through Taupo streets followed and Wawatai ran off through the backs of some properties after stopping the car. When located by the police Wawatai said he knew the car had been stolen and admitted his intention to use it during the Christmas holiday period to carry out some major burglaries. From the dock Wawatai told Mr Astley he had made an attempt to go straight after being released from prison in August. "But jokers from inside kept coming and seeing me. I got ajob about 20 miles away from them but they still kept coming ' he said. Mr Astley told Wawatai that he should have spoken to his probation officer about his unwanted visitors. ' You are on parole after serving a sentence for a serious offence involving expolsives and burglary,' he said. The nine months term of imprisonment is to be followed by 12 months probation