Pot plant basher pleads guilty

A man who smashed his mother’s pot plant with a baseball bat and injured a police officer after flying into a rage, has been sentenced to 100 hours of community work.

Rafael Francis Robinson pleaded guilty to resisting police and disorderly behaviour when he appeared in Porirua District Court last Tuesday.

Charges of possession of a weapon and assaulting police were withdrawn because of lack of evidence.

Police prosecutor, Peter Kirsopp, said in court the 29-year-old from Titahi Bay was drinking at his mother’s house at about 7.30pm on September 11, when he became enraged and began swinging the bat around on the front lawn breaking a pot plant.

He then walked towards the Cannons Creek shops to find his partner, who had been with him at the house.

When police arrived and tried to arrest Robinson, it took four officers to restrain him.

During the struggle, one was hit in the head, which bruised and swelled up.

Robinson’s lawyer, Sonia Thistoll, said she had acted for Robinson in the past, when he had been mentally unwell.

She requested community service for his sentence.

Judge Jan Kelly said it was important for Robinson to continue receiving mental health care and keep well.

The judge sentenced Robinson to 100 hours community work for each of the charges, to be served concurrently.