:cat: Getting back into Australia with convictions. Read the remarks.

I copied this article:

Three tourists who faked an armed robbery near Akaroa in Banks Peninsula to cover damage to their campervan will leave the country with convictions but no other penalty.

Bart Jan Willem Stevens, 19, of Torheijden, Netherlands, Antonio Francesco Rosario Salamone, 29, an Italian-born chef whose address was given as Bundoora, Melbourne, and Johan Jasper Van de Lande, 20, a chef from the Netherlands, all pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today to making a false statement to police.

Clearly exasperated, Judge Stephen Erber said there was little he could do to the trio who, he said, had damaged New Zealand's tourism reputation as a safe destination and wasted 100 hours of police time.

It was not an offence that carried a jail sentence and police said the three men had only $A120 ($NZ140) between them when they were arrested as they tried to board a flight to Australia in Christchurch yesterday.

"The court can only impose a fine, otherwise I would have thought seven days' imprisonment might fit the bill," Judge Erber said.

He noted they had been held in custody since their arrest.

Police prosecutor Nigel Wolland said the three Netherlands residents arrived in New Zealand from Australia on February 4, hiring a campervan to tour the country.

They drove from Milford Sound to Akaroa, but found the French-style seaside village too quiet and came to Christchurch. While driving around the city looking for a place to stay on February 9, they inadvertently cut off a vehicle and at the next intersection, while stopped at traffic lights, a passenger in a rear vehicle got out and kicked the campervan, then threw a beer bottle through the passenger window.

The trio decided jointly to cover the damage by making a false insurance claim that they had been involved in an armed robbery.

They told police three men had broken into the campervan while they were parked at a layby near Akaroa and robbed them of cash and electronic equipment -- including a digital camera and laptop computer they'd never owned.

Mr Wolland said 15 police spent 100 hours on the investigation. Their claims were widely publicised in the media.

When the men were detained at Christchurch Airport yesterday they had in their luggage items they claimed had been stolen.

Mr Wolland said the trio had damaged New Zealand's reputation as a safe travel destination and "caused anxiety" among Akaroa residents worried about armed robbers being on the loose.

He said they admitted their actions were "stupid" but wanted to cover the cost of repairs to the window.

Duty solicitor Paul McMenamin said the "road rage attack" became a "nightmare" for the tourists.

They had very little cash between them and were returning to Australia to work. They had probably lost their air fares because they were detained by police after checking in for their flight.

Mr McMenamin told the court New Zealand wasn't a safe destination "in any particular sense" and there was no point pretending it was.

Judge Erber said the men may have trouble getting back into Australia with their convictions.

"With Australia's history, that would seem a little ironic," Mr McMenamin said.

Judge Erber said the trio's "dishonest attention-seeking behaviour" had wasted "precious police resources" and cost a lot of money.

"All I can do is get you out of this country as fast as possible."

He convicted and discharged all three, noting that they and their families would probably face media attention when they returned to the Netherlands.

Outside court the three apologised "to the people of New Zealand".

They said they had been stupid and didn't realise the publicity their actions would generate in the media.

All they wanted was to go home and they hoped publicity wouldn't hinder their return to Australia.

No offense, but it's nice to see the U.S. doesn't have the market cornered on stupid people. I think missing their flights only to spend a few days in jail was fitting. Hopefully they had to pay prosecution costs too.

:cat: Hi there S60 R.

Stupid People.

We've got people down here who act as if stupidity was a virtue.

In the tourist's case-they didn't realise that their luggage would automatically be searched by our Customs when they left the country.

The bit I thought was funny was the judge's concern about getting back into Australia with convictions. Their lawyers remarks really made my day.

So, no, America shares living space with stupid people, just like the rest of us.

So, rest in peace S60 R. :amen:

Cheers :right:

FWIW, "rest in peace" is used when speaking of the dead in the U.S.

Unless you are trying to tell me something :lol: :haha:

we had a guy who's trailer was stolen from his rig while he slept in the cab, and i read the japanese chased a guy using about 100 cruisers to do him for a minor infraction like not stopping at a stop sign. the whole words crazy. one guy in amsterdam drove into one of the canals whilst talking on 2 mobile phones. he still spoke on one when he swam ashore. there are nutters everywhere. i know. i go to the meetings!