Man charged with detaining child, making threats

A 34-year-old Blenheim man is being held in custody after being charged with inciting violence, threatening to kill and unlawful possession of a shotgun.

Police allege he unlawfully detained a boy in his care causing ‘‘him to be confined’’ at a Weld St property on Sunday.

They say he engaged in conduct towards the boy including ‘‘inciting violence’’.

He was also charged with threatening to kill the boy, who is under the age of 18. Police say the man possessed a shotgun without a lawful purpose and also had an offensive weapon, a baseball bat, in a public place. Police alleged the man intentionally damaged a police blanket and mattress.

The man did not enter pleas to the six charges when he appeared at the Blenheim District Court on Monday. He was remanded in custody to April 28.

A vineyard worker convicted of indecently assaulting a girl in Marlborough will be deported on the first flight to Vanuatu, but amid the coronavirus pandemic no-one knows when that will be.

At the Blenheim District Court on Monday, Luk Philip, 40, was convicted of indecent assault of a girl under 12 years old, after earlier pleading guilty.

On January 2, Philip put his arm around the victim and kissed her on the mouth.

His lawyer, Marcus Zintl, said the conviction would have ‘‘catastrophic consequences’’ for Philip, as he would not be able to return to New Zealand to work under the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme, to make money for his wife and two children in Vanuatu.

The incident was ‘‘out of character, opportunistic, fleeting and somewhat spontaneous’’, and Philip was remorseful, Zintl said.

Abigail Goodison, representing the Crown, said it was in the ‘‘best interest for everyone’’ that Philip get on the first flight. She acknowledged New Zealand was in an ‘‘unprecedented time’’ and they needed to wait for a flight.

Zintl said Philip was in a ‘‘supportive environment’’, had an advocate appointed to him by his employer and was being constantly monitored.

Judge Tony Zohrab entered the conviction, saying the offending was ‘‘totally outrageous’’ and would have a significant impact on the girl.

He ordered Philip to pay $1000 in emotional harm reparation.