S v The Queen

[2014] NZHC 1345

ORDER PROHIBITING PUBLICATION OF [80] TO [92] (INCLUDING FOOTNOTES) OF THE JUDGMENT IN NEWS MEDIA OR THE INTERNET OR OTHER PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATABASE UNTIL FINAL DISPOSITION OF CHARGES AGAINST A THIRD PARTY ARISING OUT OF MATTERS DISCUSSED IN THOSE PARAGRAPHS OR UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT. IF NO ORDER OF THE COURT HAS

BEEN MADE AT THE TIME OF FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE CHARGES, THIS ORDER WILL AUTOMATICALLY LAPSE.  PUBLICATION IN LAW REPORT OR LAW DIGEST IS PERMITTED.

NOTE: THE THIRD PARTY HAS NAME SUPPRESSION IN RESPECT OF THE CHARGES PURSUANT TO AN ORDER MADE ON 13 JUNE 2014 BY THE DISCIPLINARY OFFICER OF THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE FOR THOSE CHARGES.

ORDER PROHIBITING THE PUBLICATION OF THE IDENTITY AND ANY PARTICULARS THAT COULD IDENTIFY ANY MEMBER OF THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OR THEIR OPERATIONS.

IN THE COURT MARTIAL APPEAL COURT OF NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGISTRY

CIV 2013-485-10617 [2014] NZHC 1345

UNDER	the Court Martial Appeals Act 1953
IN THE MATTER OF	an appeal by S
BETWEEN	S Appellant
AND	THE QUEEN Respondent

Hearing:

1 May 2014

Court:

Mallon J

Judge J Billington QC Judge D McGregor

Counsel:

M Mason and A Henderson for the Appellant
Major J Derbyshire and Captain M Mercer for the Respondent

Judgment:

17 June 2014

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

S v R [2014] NZHC 1345 [17 June 2014]

A.  The appeal is allowed in part.

B.  The convictions on counts 1, 5, 7 and 10 are quashed. C.  The order to pay a fine of $4,700 is set aside.

D.  The proceeding is referred back to the Court Martial for determination

of what, if any, action is to be taken in respect of count 12.

REASONS OF THE COURT

(Given by Mallon J)

Table of Contents

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... [1] Background........................................................................................................................................ [4] The charges of stealing service property ....................................................................................... [15] What needed to be proved ............................................................................................................ [15] Appellate review ........................................................................................................................... [20] The evidence about the J Points ................................................................................................... [23] The evidence about the charging handle ...................................................................................... [39] Summing up .................................................................................................................................. [56] Unlawful possession of the thunderflashes .................................................................................... [60] What needed to be proved ............................................................................................................ [60] Appellate review ........................................................................................................................... [62] The issues ..................................................................................................................................... [64] The evidence about the garage ..................................................................................................... [66] Evidence about the items found .................................................................................................... [70] The search ........................................................................................................................................ [80] Voir dire evidence ......................................................................................................................... [85] Our assessment ............................................................................................................................. [91] Result ................................................................................................................................................ [93] Addendum: 27 June 2014 .............................................................................................................. [94]

Introduction

[1]      S is a Trooper of the 1st  New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment (the NZSAS).   He was charged with a number of offences under the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971 (the Act).  He pleaded guilty to an offence of failing to comply

with a written order.1    He was tried by the Court Martial on the other charges and

1      Section 39(a).

convicted of three offences of stealing service property2 and one offence of unlawful possession of service property.3   He was sentenced to a fine of $4,700.

[2]      S appeals against his convictions on the stealing and unlawful possession charges on the grounds that the…