April 26, 2013

Custody remand on trumpet theft charge

By David Clarkson.?An unemployed man, listed as having no fixed abode, has ended up in custody after denying theft of $10,000 worth of musical instruments from an Anzac Day service in Christchurch.

Wade Clinton Jeffs, 35, appeared in the Christchurch District Court today on the charge of stealing a cornet and a trumpet.

Police allege he grabbed a bag containing the instruments as he cycled past before the early morning service began in the city.

Jeffs was stood down in custody for a time because he refused a lawyer and then proved to be a difficult customer, including trying to bargain with the judge. He said he wanted to ?explain myself?.

He said he would decline to have a jury trial, but pleaded not guilty to the charge.

When the case was called again, he explained that he was not homeless. His address was a camping ground at Whiterock, inland from Amberley. He had been in the city to visit a mate when the police arrested him.

Judge Gary MacAskill said police opposed Jeffs? release on bail and alleged he was already on bail on three other minor charges when the latest incident occurred.

He said Jeffs did not have a satisfactory bail address, and had made a poor job of applying for bail without getting legal advice.

He refused bail and remanded Jeffs in custody to a registrar?s pre-hearing session on May 6.