Man carried knife due to threats

A man once accused of murder has been sentenced to supervision for carrying a knife in public.

William Hartley appeared in the Palmerston North District Court for possessing a knife in public and speeding through the Manawatu Gorge at up to 150kmh.

At his previous appearance, Hartley said he carried a knife because he feared people would come after his family.

Hartley was one of five men accused of being involved in the death of James Poto Whatuira.

Hartley was faced trial alongside Daniel Rei, Troy Marcus Simmonds, Scott Gareth Simmonds and Michael Bob Fiti over Whatuira’s death in Woodville in January 2015.

The five of them allegedly went to Hartley’s Woodville house, armed with guns, with the intention of confronting Whatuira and a friend.

However, it ended with Whatuira getting shot in the chest by Rei, who claimed self-defence. Hartley was found not guilty.

When he last appeared in court in March, Hartley said he carried a knife for protection from unnamed aggressors.

‘‘I live in constant fear of my family being targeted by these people.

‘‘I don’t carry it now and I feel very vulnerable to be honest.’’

He was also found guilty of dangerous driving for speeding through the Manawatu Gorge.

Judge Jim Large accepted that Hartley had ‘‘difficulties in his life’’ and that he would be concerned.

However, the judge feared that carrying a knife could lead to ‘‘at best injuries, at worst homicide’’.

Hartley was sentenced to 12 months of intensive supervision, two months of community detention and was disqualified for driving for six months.