Christchurch curfew-breaker sentenced

A man with a history of burglaries was arrested for breaking the curfew in central Christchurch early today.

The judge described him as the only person in New Zealand who did not know that the Christchurch business district was under curfew when he was prosecuted under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act in Christchurch District Court.

Toby John Richards, an unemployed 27-year-old, was charged with intentionally failing to comply with a prohibition or restriction, after he was found within the restricted zone on Hereford Street at 2.55am.

The curfew was imposed from 7pm to 7am, for the safety of all persons and to prevent looting.

Richards admitted the charge, and told police he did not know the curfew was in place, and that it was a stupid thing to do.

Judge Michael Radford said he did not accept Richards was unaware of the circumstances, and that he had a large number of previous convictions for burglaries.

"The authorities are doing their best to protect people, and make sure the city functioned as best it could. They don't need people interfering. Their job is difficult enough," Judge Radford said.

He sentenced Richards to 40 hours of community work.

Lyall Anzac Hetariki, 39, was charged with the same offence, but was remanded on bail without plea by a registrar, to September 30.

- NZPA