Magistrate's Court Soldier Imprisoned For Sten-gun... (Press, 29 March 1969)

On 29 March 1969, Graeme Douglas Taylor, a 26-year-old lance-corporal in the New Zealand Army, was sentenced to a total of 18 months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Mr P. L. Molineaux for a series of offences including theft, burglary, and unlawfully taking a car and a dinghy. Taylor had pleaded guilty to charges stemming from incidents in February, where he stole two Sten guns and various military items valued at $85.58 from the Army Department. He also unlawfully took a car worth $1,000 and a dinghy valued at $100. Additionally, he was charged with burglary for breaking into four baches at Mitchells during the same timeframe. The court ordered him to make restitution of $26.89. Another man, Roger Robert Hubert Matchitt, who faced similar charges, received a two-year prison sentence. The Magistrate noted the differences in their criminal histories and evaluated Taylor’s mental health, suggesting that he had been placed in a position of trust by the Army despite previous incidents. In a separate case, Alan Cherry, 25, was placed on 15 months’ probation and fined $100 for being a suspected person with felonious intent. This charge, linked to homosexual conduct, arose just after he was already on probation for an earlier indecent assault charge. The court considered his situation, particularly the support from his parents, which helped him avoid imprisonment. Ivan Raymond Painter, an 18-year-old, received a sentence of three months’ periodic detention for urinating on the stairs of Christchurch Cathedral. His home life challenges and recent arrest history influenced the sentence, with provisions for him to continue living and working as directed by a probation officer. Allan James Candlish, 19, was fined $20 for wilfully damaging a letter-box during a late-night escapade. The Magistrate remarked on his lack of respect for others' property. Wendy Patterson Wanhall, a 28-year-old housewife, received a two-year probation sentence for forgery and theft, avoiding a prison term because of her pregnancy. However, the court indicated that a custodial sentence would have been warranted had it not been for her health condition. Gino Vincente Castillo, 23, was remanded on bail for sentencing related to receiving stolen property valued at $21.45. Kenneth Francis Joseph Linton, 18, faced fines and disqualification from driving for a year due to dangerous driving on 31 December 1968. Stephen Charles Goddard, a 15-year-old, was sentenced to the Waikeria Detention Centre for burglary. Various other minor cases were reported, including fines for traffic offences, with specific amounts detailed for failing to stop at signs and speeding violations. The issues highlighted the ongoing challenges surrounding law enforcement and public safety in the community context of Christchurch during that time.

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