‘No support’ for deportee

A Blenheim man who rushed at another with an axe was ‘‘like a refugee’’ after being deported from Australia following violent offences, a court has heard.

Gary Jordan Howes, 27, appeared at the Blenheim District Court for sentencing on Monday after pleading guilty to assault using an axe last month.

His lawyer, Alan Heward, said his mother still lived in Australia and there was little assistance to reintroduce deportees from Australia

back into the New Zealand. ‘‘They arrive in New Zealand, they’re on their own and there’s no support,’’ Hewitt said.

A woman who had taken Howes ‘‘under her wing’’ said he was ‘‘like a refugee’’. She thought he would become ‘‘a valuable member of this community’’.

Heward said Howes had a job and was getting a positive response from customers, had attended three sessions of a nonviolence programme and had been prepared to engage in restorative justice before the victim pulled out.

Judge David Ruth said Howes had previous convictions for violence, and a conviction for robbery in Australia, which led to imprisonment. ‘‘You were sent back here by the Australians. Not sure if that raises the IQ of both parties or not,’’ Judge Ruth said. ‘‘Either way, we’re stuck with you it seems.’’

Judge Ruth cancelled Howes’ current supervision sentence and ordered a new supervision sentence for 12 months.

In July, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Australia’s deportation laws were having a ‘‘corrosive effect’’ on the relationship between the two countries.

Australia has deported more than 1500 New Zealand citizens since changes were made to Australia’s Migration Act in 2014. The laws meant anyone convicted of an offence that attracts more than 12 months in prison can have their visa cancelled on ‘‘character grounds’’.

About 10am on August 31, Howes and the victim were at Lakings Rd in Blenheim, police said. Howes was in his room with a friend when he saw someone looking in his bedroom window.

He left his room and started kicking doors and trying to find out who it was.

When nobody owned up he became angry, shouting derogatory comments at the other occupants of the house. He rushed at the victim, at which point both of them fell to the ground and the victim hit the defendant once in the mouth.

Other occupants broke up the fight. Howes then returned to his room, grabbing an axe, holding it above his head and rushing at the victim.

The victim tackled the defendant in an attempt to avoid a blow from the axe but he was hit once on the leg.

The victim did not require medical assistance.

When spoken to by police, Howes said ‘‘I need anger management’’.