Community work order for 2 who "joked"

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 53, 4 July 1974, Page 3

Community work order for 2 who

"joked"

Two Taupo youths who tampered with a fire alatrn at a local service station were ordered to undertake community work each weekend until August 27. Tama Reuben Hepi, 18, and Stephen David Murdoch, 17, appearcd before Mr P. J. Trapski, SM, in the Taupo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Senior-Sergeant R. Moncur said that on May 18 Hepi had been repairing his.ear in the forecourt of Ridlev's service station. M u rd oc h a r r i v ed and suggested he push the fire alarm. He said Hepi had broken the glass and when the alarm sounded men were sent from the Taupo Fire Brigade to the garage. Hepi said later that he had only broken the alarm "as a joke." Botb youths had appare.ntlv been drinking. Mr A. A. Liddell, appearing for Hepi. said the defendant had only tlieked the alarm. "However. he had been drinking and he could have hit it mucli harder," said Mr Liddell. * * * A 17-year-old Taupo youth was fined $50 when he appeared on a charge of breach of probation. John Noel Morris, represented by Mr A. A. Liddell. pleaded guilty to the charge. The probation offieer, Mr T. Brown, said Morris had been released from Waikeria borstal in February and had been direeted to live and work where the probation offieer determined. "He was warned repeatedly about his conduet and he left his m other and went to live with his sister," said Mr Brown. "After a weekend eseapade he was arrested a few days later." Mr Brown said Morris had made tio attempt to comply with the eonditions of his probation. "I am worried about him beeause he has already 1

been to borstal." he said. Mr Liddell said Morris' sister was also worried about him. "Tbey' are trying to arrange a job for him where he will be working under his brother-in-law," he said. "His biggest problem is that he is weak and easilv led." Mr Trapski said he was prepared to give Morris another ehance to pull himself together. "It is all over to you — eompletely and utterlv," he told Morris. * * * Michael Martin Albas, apprentice electrical fittcr, of Palmerston North, was fined $10 on a charge of possessing a Kea pistol without a licence. On a further charge of wilful damage he was eonvieted and discharged. S e n i or- S er ge a n t M o ne u r told the Court that on April 20 Albas and a group of youths had gone into the Tauhara Forest. A shot had been iired. breaking the window of a payloader. He said Albas had been verv frank when interviewed by ihe police and had already paid restitution to the ovvner of the vehicle. When asked for an

explanation. Albas told Mr Trapski that he had nothing to say exeept he was sorry. Two other men appeared on eharges related to the offenee. Kenneth Charles StuartForbes. shearer, of Blenheim. was fined $10 on each of three eharges of prOeuring possession of a Kea pistol. delivering possession of the pistol and earrying a pistol beyond the limits* of a dwelling house without a licence. Representing StuartForbes. Mr P. L. Thomas said the defendant did not know that he had to have a licence for the pistol. Peter Clarence Herbert, shepherd, of Taupo, was also fined $10 on each of two eharges of • proeuring possession of ti Kea pistol and delivering possession of the pistol. -t- -t * Buying a carton of beer whilc under age cost an 18-year-old Taupo bulldozer driver $10. Angus James Kahika had been seen by two police oonstables on May 17 earrying a carton of beer from t he Spa Hotel. the Court was told. When approached he

said he was taking the beer home to drink. ♦ * * Michael Richard Murray, 19, single, electrician, of Rotorua was fined $175, Court costs $5, medical expenses $15 and disqualified from driving for six rnonths after pleading guilty to a charge of driving with excess blood alcohol. The Court was told that on April 20 at 8 p.m. Murray had been driving along Spa Road and collided with another car causing it to eareer through a fenee. A blood sample taken later showed an aleohol level of 161 milligrammes to 100 millilitres of blood. Mr A. A. Liddell appeared for Murray. * * * A 23-vear-old Turangi carpcnter was fined $50, Court costs $5 and ordered to take a defensive driving course when he pleaded guilty to a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle. I he Court was told that Charles Te Ata Karaitiana had been driving on State Highway 41 from Tokaanu to Taumarunui on April 20 when he tried to negotiate a sharp left liand bend and eollided with another vehicle. When asked for an explanation Karaitiana said he had been playing Rugbv that day and had injured his arm.