Ohakune District Court

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 6, 2 July 1985, Page 11

Ohakune District Court

The following cases were heard by Judge E. W. Unwin in the Ohakune District Court on Thursday. A charge of theft as a servant was established against an 18-year-old unemployed hotel worker. Jacqueline Anne Fraser, of Ohakune, pleaded not guilty to the charge that on 10th February she stole six glasses, valued at $ 1 5, and a towel, valued at $2, the property ofT. B. and M. E. Leggatt Ltd. Fraser said the items had been placed in a cupboard by a previous employee and had not been used since the last ski season. She told this to Mrs Leggatt, she said, but Mrs Leggatt, in evidence, denied it. Mrs Leggatt told her to throw the items out, Fraser said, so she took the glasses, which were chipped, to use for pot plants. The towel she took had a cigarette burn in the corner. Fraser put the items in her bag with two bottles of carpet deodorant. As she was leaving the hotel, her bag was searched and the items were found. The carpet deodorant was established to be Fraser's. Fraser acknowledged taking the glasses and towel. She could not identify the towel produced in court as the one she took — the one from the hotel had a cigarette burn in it. The items have been in storage since Fraser's arrest. Judge Unwin said both Mr and Mrs Leggatt were adamant they had not suggested Fraser throw out the towel and glasses. His Honour said he could not find it possible to give Fraser the benefit of any doubt and the charge was established. Fraser received a 12 month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay witness expenses of $48 and $75 towards the cost of the prosecution. ★ ★ ★ A charge of attempting to drive with a breath alcohol level of 1000:1 against Paaka Kirikiri, 28, driver, of Wainuiomata, was dismissed. Kirikiri had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge which arose after he was breath tested in Taihape on 3rd February. Kirikiri was found in his truck in Hautapu St. The left rear wheel was on jacks but the engine was running. Kirikiri was sitting in the drive r's seat. Counsel Mr Harvey said there was no case to answer; there was no evidence that Kirikiri was attempting to drive. Judge Unwin ruled there was a case to answer.

After hearing evidence from Kirikiri, His Honour said he accepted it would have been possible to move the truck with the wheels on jacks, although it would have been stupid to do so and damage would have resulted. Kirikiri said he was putting air into the engine so the truck would start the next day. Judge Unwin said, "1 cannot say that at that time this man was about to drive the truck." ★ ★ ★ A charge of driving in a manner which might have been dangerous to the public against a 17-year-old Wellington student was dismissed by Judge Unwin. ■ Tony Attila Horvath wias charged after a collision between his car and a bus at Whakapapa Village, State Highway 48, on 2nd September, 1984. Horvath pleaded not tyThere was no evidence of speed by Horvath or evi-

dence of whether the rear bus in a line of three had indicated a turn across the highway, Judge Unwin said. He had no hesitation in upholding counsel Des Deacon's submission there was no case to answer. ★ ★ ★ Richard Hohepa Wharehinga, 17, forestry labourer, of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to receiving beer and spirits, valued at more than $40, the property of the OhakuneKarioi Rugby and Sports Club, on or about 21st April. Wharehinga also pleaded guilty to discharging an airgun in Waiouru on 1st June and discharging an airgun while not being a holder of a firearms licence. He was placed on probation for 12 months, ordered to pay $497.65 compensation and disqualified for three months on the receiving charge. On the charge of possessing an airgun he was ordered to pay $50 to the cost of the prosecution. Continued on page 16

Continued from page 11 George Maxwell Moses Tamatea, 21, labourer of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to the burglary of the Waimarino Golf Club, Makaranui, on 12th May, with intent to commit a crime. He was apprehended by police at the golf club. Tamatea was fined $400. Mr Duncan Harvey appeared. ★ ★ ★ Henry Cyril Mott, 25, labourer, of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the Waimarino Golf Club on 1 2th May with intent to commit a crime. He was apprehended by police at the scene. Mott was fined $400 and ordered to pay compensation of$128. Hewasdisqualified for three months because he used his vehicle to transport other people to the club. Mr Paul Brown appeared. ★ ★ ★ Lindon Desmond Blake, 18, market garden labourer, of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to unlawfully getting into a vehicle on 25th May at Raetihi. The car which had been stolen, was the property of Winstone Afforestation Ltd and was valued at $20,000. Blake was fined $300 and disqualified for three months. ★ ★ ★ Alexander Maurice Cullen, 21, prison inmate, pleaded guilty to theft of car stereo speakers, valued at $400, and cassette tapes, valued at $150, at Remuera on 8th March. Cullen was sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment, cumulative with his present term. ★ ★ ★ Hine Wai Samuels, 23, of National Park, pleaded