September 28, 2012

Teens face mail charges

By Anne Clarkson at Nga Hau e Wha marae

Two teenagers, each facing four charges of opening postal articles not addressed to them, were given registrar?s remands at Nga Hau e Wha marae court.

Clinton Paul Baylis, 19, of Hoon Hay,?pleaded not guilty and was remanded to October 24.

William Stephen George Coates, 18, of Prebbleton, was remanded to October 12 for police to consider the diversion scheme for first offenders.

Police allege both teens stole the mail from rural delivery mail boxes across the Selwyn district.

Another teenager charged with opening mail, and two charges of obtaining by deception worth $41,850, was remanded earlier in the week to October 9.

Police alleged Brendon Karl Dean Harris, 17, of Islington, used details on the stolen mail to phone victims to convince them to give him their personal details so he could access their bank accounts.

A Springston mother and son had also been arrested for allegedly allowing their bank accounts to be used to deposit money. Police say the money was withdrawn and shared by the group.