Magistrate's Court Six Months Imprisonment On... (Press, 7 December 1974)

On 7 December 1974, the Magistrate's Court dealt with several significant cases involving burglary, assault, and other criminal offences. Kevin Edward Butson, a 20-year-old milk hand, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for three burglary offences and unlawfully taking a car. The presiding magistrate, Mr K. H. J. Headifen, indicated a firm stance against Butson's continued offending, considering his prior criminal record, which included probation and Borstal training. Alistair Hemi Karaka, aged 18, faced Borstal training and a one-year driving disqualification due to his involvement in two burglary charges and unlawfully taking a vehicle. The magistrate noted Karaka's repeated opportunities to reform and his decision to continue offending. Another case involved Paul Ronald Tozer, 25, who pleaded guilty to making death threats against his wife. After a heated argument on 5 December, Tozer threatened to kill his wife during phone calls and physically assaulted her later that evening. He was remanded in custody until sentencing on 13 December. Four youths were remanded in custody without plea following charges of wilfully damaging property and weapons possession. Gary Reginald Baker, Warner Richard Scott, Norman Bruce Church, and Bryan Robert Darrell appeared in relation to an incident in Montreal Street. The magistrate denied bail due to their previous bail status. Robert Walker, 31, was remanded in custody without plea on a staggering 48 charges, primarily theft, involving stolen property valued over $3,000. In a separate case, Michael Robert David Mitchell, 43, received four months of periodic detention for physically abusing his three-year-old son over a telephone use incident. The child sustained visible injuries. Kevin Graham Archibald, 26, was fined $50 for assaulting his sister during a family dispute. The court heard that he had been involved in a physical altercation that resulted in her sustaining cuts and bruising. George Ronald Lynn, 21, faced multiple charges including possession of an unlicensed firearm and was remanded on bail until 13 December. Other cases included Rex Colvine, 19, who was fined for littering, Mary Jane Hammond, 19, who was remanded on a theft charge, and Phillip Vernon Bates, 17, who received a conviction regarding dishonestly obtained property. Alan Maher, 17, was convicted of assault and remanded on bail until sentencing. Brent Rory Coulston, 18, was remanded for unlawfully taking a vehicle. Paul Campbell George Fox, 19, was discharged without conviction for wilful damage but required to pay compensation. Lastly, Kevin Eric Robinson, 28, faced charges related to unlawfully taking a vehicle but was remanded on bail. This series of court cases highlighted ongoing issues with youth offending and domestic violence within the community, drawing attention to the criminal justice system's responses to such incidents.

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