XN000022-1980-04-30 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1980

NEW PRESCRIBED FORM TO PROSECUTE COUNTRY PARK OFFENDERS

X X X X X X *

THE MAGISTRATES (FORMS) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1980 WHICH PRESCRIBE A NEW FORM TO PROSECUTE COUNTRY PARK OFFENDERS WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR G.P. NAZARETH EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS REGULATIONS HAD CREATED VARIOUS OFFENCES CONCERNED WITH THE PROTECTION OF COUNTRY PARKS, LIKE LIGHTING FIRES OUTSIDE DESIGNATED BARBECUE SITES,

+THE USUAL WAY PERSONS COMMITTING SUCH OFFENCES ARE DEALT WITH IS FOR OFFICERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AUTHORISED FOR THAT PURPOSE BY THE MAGISTRATES COURT ORDINANCE, TO SERVE THE OFFENDERS WITH A STATUTORY NOTICE REQUIRING THEM TO APPEAR BEFORE A MAGISTRATE'S COURT, HE SAID.

HOWEVER, MR NAZARETH POINTED OUT, THE EXISTING FORM OF SUCH NOTICE DID NOT ADEQUATELY PROVIDE FOR SUCH OFFENCES.

THE NEW FORM LISTS THE OFFENCES FOR WHICH IT CAN BE USED AND WILL SIGNIFICANTLY FACILITATE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE OFFENDERS, HE SAID.

AFTERCARE FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS

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A BILL DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUPERVISION OF CERTAIN YOUNG OFFENDERS DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THEIR RELEASE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI POINTED OUT THAT FROM EXPERIENCE, IN THE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THEIR RELEASE YOUNG OFFENDERS WERE LIKELY TO REVERT TO THE IR FORMER CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES AND OTHER UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERS, AND INADVERTENTLY RELAPSE INTO A LIFE OF CRIME.

THE SCHEME OF SUPERVISION PROPOSED BY THE BILL HAD ALREADY BEEN PROVED TO BE A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AID IN REHABILITATING OFFENDERS FROM DETENTION CENTRES AND TRAINING CENTRES, HE ADDED.

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, IN REPLY TO ANOTHER POINT RAISED BY DR HO, STRESSED THAT THE THREE NEW POSTS PROVIDED TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHEME WOULD NOT BE FILLED BY NEW RECRUITS BUT BY REDEPLOYING EXISTING AFTERCARE OFFICERS. SO THAT WELL QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED OFFICERS WOULD BE PUT IN CHARGE OF THE NEW PROGRAMME.

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