Magistrate's Court Vigilante Group Went To Jostle... (Press, 12 July 1975)

On 12 July 1975, in the Magistrate's Court, the case of a self-appointed vigilante group was highlighted after they assaulted a man they believed to be a homosexual in Beverley Park on Avonside Drive. The group’s behaviour was condemned by Mr P. L. Molineaux, S.M. Dale John Smith, a 17-year-old coal-yard foreman, was convicted of assault and theft of 52 cents from the victim. He had previously pleaded guilty and was remanded on bail until 25 July for sentencing. Smith also pleaded guilty to two burglary charges and was ordered to undergo a medical examination for possible detention centre training. The court heard that on 14 May, Smith and his accomplices held down the man before he assaulted him and took the money that fell from the victim's pocket. Smith was also implicated in a burglary of the New World Supermarket where he stole goods valued at $109, and attempted another burglary days later, which failed due to an alarm activation. Warren Stewart Robertson, 23, was fined $100 for stealing a vase valued at $295 from an antique shop after discovering it had been broken into. In another case, Thomas Tamehana, 20, pleaded guilty to stealing a watch valued at $20 after threatening a driver with an iron bar and broomstick when he was given a lift. Tamehana was remanded on bail until 18 July for sentencing. Two youths, Tahe Tahuaroa (alias Kevin Watson), 22, and Michael Robert Bourke, 18, faced multiple burglary charges and were remanded in custody until 18 July for a probation report. The burglaries, which took place between 13 and 19 June, resulted in damages and stolen goods amounting to $935. Tahuaroa attributed his offending to drug use, while Bourke offered no explanation; both were living in a car at the time of their arrest. John Douglas Comrie, 20, faced a bail remand until 18 July for possessing lysergide after police found the substance during a warrant execution. A soldier, James William David Munro, 19, pleaded guilty to taking a motorcycle valued at $800 from Burnham Military Camp and remanded on bail until 18 July. He travelled across New Zealand with the stolen bike. Lastly, Murray Edward Hart, 27, was sentenced to three months of periodic detention and ordered to pay compensation of $199.32 for charges of false pretence, relating to using stolen cheques for services, and Kevin James Hill, 25, was fined $75 for stealing a wheel trim valued at $13 observed by detectives.

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