NT: NZ sailor could face mandatory sentence over steal charge

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-1999
NT: NZ sailor could face mandatory sentence over steal charge

A New Zealand sailor charged with stealing five bottles of liquor from a Darwin pub may be
jailed under the Northern Territory's mandatory sentencing laws.

TY PETER MCGILLAN has appeared in Darwin Magistrate's Court charged with the theft from the
Victoria Hotel on Sunday night.

The 23-year-old sailor was on leave from HMNZS Canterbury, which is participating in
Australia's Kakadu 99 defence exercise, when he was charged under Section 210 of the criminal
code.

Section 210 covers one of the first time stealing offences which attract a mandatory jail
sentence of 14 days under the territory's controversial one strike and you're in laws.

Criminal Lawyers' Association president JOHN TIPPETT says the case is a matter of
international embarrassment because the sailor is here for an Australian naval exercise.

He is calling for warnings about the laws to be put in tourism literature.

MCGILLAN is on bail and scheduled to appear in court on November 24.

AAP cm/shm/jn

KEYWORD: MANDATORY (DARWIN)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.