Absent Navy officer jailed for 21 days

The Devonport Navy Base. Photo / Dean Purcell

A naval petty officer drank up to 17 beers and cycled away from his ship while he was meant to be on guard duty.

Petty Officer Norman Anderson appeared at a Court Martial at the Devonport Navy base yesterday and pleaded guilty to five charges.

The electronics technician was marched in under navy guard to appear before Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson and three senior officers.

Anderson pleaded guilty yesterday to five charges including leaving his post, drinking while on duty and stealing food from the ship's stores.

The maximum sentence for the offences ranges from six months to seven years in prison.

He also tried to cover up leaving the ship by signing the ship's security register ahead of time.

Anderson was the duty ship keeper on the navy tanker HMNZS Endeavour last October.

The Endeavour was at the Devonport Navy Base and Anderson was in charge of security.

But according to court documents, he was seen picking up his bicycle and riding away from the ship at 6.30pm - at least 12 hours early.

Senior navy officers were called and it was found that Anderson had already signed for entries in the security book for that evening and the next morning.

Navy officers phoned Anderson's wife who said her husband was "pretty drunk". Anderson later told military police that he had started drinking at 11am and could have drunk up to 17 beers.

A search of the mess found empty beer bottles. Two empty wine bottles were also found in his cabin.

Anderson's backpack and rubbish bag containing food from the ship's stores were also found.

Anderson said he had been in the ship's food stores but had problems remembering.

Military prosecutor Captain James Kennedy-Good told the court that Anderson's actions abused the trust of his commanding officer and justified dismissal from the navy.

However, Anderson's lawyer Victoria Brewer said he had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and sought help for his alcohol problem.

Judge Johnson acknowledged Anderson's previous clean record after 19 years' service, his remorse and that his commanding officer had agreed to take him back.

He also recognised Anderson had sought help from the Navy Community Organisation for his alcohol problem but was then posted to the Endeavour for a sea going role and there was "no follow-up".

The lack of help could constitute a failure in the navy's duty of care.

But Judge Johnson also said Anderson's offence of leaving his post was of a "very serious kind" and sentenced Anderson to 21 days' in the military correctional establishment at Burnham.