Two Dunedin men, neither of them university students, are the
first people to be convicted following last weekend's Undie
500 disorder.
Flatmates Hamish Thomas Munro (18), millhand, and Jai Shonker
Prasad (27), process worker, both pleaded guilty by letter to
breaching the temporary North Dunedin liquor ban in Castle St
on Saturday.
Neither was in the Dunedin District Court to hear Judge
Stephen O'Driscoll fine each of them $250 and court costs of
$130.
Prosecutor Sergeant Tom Scouller said the men's offending was
"almost identical - same place, same time". They were
arrested at 3.45pm.
"They were not part of the riots and disorder that happened
[in Castle St] on Friday and Saturday nights," he said.
Judge O'Driscoll said he was only able to impose a fine on
liquor breach charges, but was not sure how much he should
make the fine, given he knew nothing about their ability to
pay.
He suggested police could have provided statements of
financial means to the court, but Sgt Scouller said police
would not have had time to discuss financial details with all
arrested.
"If the court needs statements of means, we will just have to
do with away with guilty letters and issue summons for
[people] to appear in court."
Judge O'Driscoll said he was minded to impose higher fines
for those charged with breaching the liquor ban during the
night-time disorder.
However, given the timing of Munro and Prasad's arrests,
there was no reason not to impose fines at a similar level to
other liquor breach cases in the city.
Most of those arrested will appear in court tomorrow and
Friday.
Tessa Rieger (19), of Dunedin, who was charged with
disorderly behaviour in Castle St last Friday, was remanded
to appear on September 29.
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