'Vigorous' defence of war medal charges

[JPL]

Just came across this news item:

The 55-year-old Invercargill man accused of stealing military medals says the charges will be "vigorously defended". Owen James Gough, 55, was yesterday granted a registrar's remand to appear in Invercargill District Court on September 7.

He faces 22 charges of theft relating to a range of items including New Zealand operational service medals, Pinjat Jasa Malaysia medals, a set of six miniature medals, a 1915 Anzac Medallion, a 2nd Queen Alexandra Welling West Coast Badge, and New Zealand Army 150-year anniversary medals.

He is also charged with obtaining a pecuniary advantage, namely $130, by selling a fake New Zealand Army 150-year anniversary medal as genuine and obtaining possession of a J-Force Medal and New Zealand Operational Service Medal and Miniature Medal, by deception.

The alleged offending occurred between May 1, 1995 and May 1 this year. Detective Constable Kerry Russell said on Monday that the charges were laid after a police investigation following a Fair Go programme, which was aired on May 30.

Yesterday morning, before his court remand, Gough said in a statement that the charges would be "vigorously defended". He also raised concern in the statement with various aspects of the Fair Go programme and aspects of the police investigation.

Read the complete story: http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/7545258/Vigorous-defence-of-war-medal-charges

Jean-Paul

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi - JP. I wonder if this is the person you listed in a previous post as having robbed a museum of medals ? Mervyn

[JPL]

Hi Mervyn,

I don't believe this is the same person. The other individual was a reservist working at the museum, while this individual appears to be some sort of dealer.

Jean-Paul