Unwelcome wakeup call lands Stoke man in court

A Stoke man who ‘‘really hates being woken up’’ argued with his partner, smashed a table, and threatened police with a meat cleaver.

In the Nelson District Court yesterday, Waylon Shadlock, 20, pleaded guilty to charges of wilful damage and possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Shadlock was at a Karaka St address on July 19 when he was woken up by his partner at 9am after a neighbour knocked on the front door to ask for something.

Shadlock’s lawyer Kelly Hennessy said his client ‘‘lost it’’ from there. ‘‘He said he really hates being woken up in the morning.’’

After a heated argument, Shadlock’s partner called the police.

Shadlock went outside and smashed a glass table, scattering shards across the ground.

When police arrived, Shadlock was armed with a meat cleaver and adopted a fighting stance towards the officers. ‘‘You want to die? You’d better get your Taser out,’’ he told them.

Judge Peter Hobbs said the situation was ‘‘all the result of you being asked to get out of bed’’.

‘‘I’m told you you don’t like getting out of bed in the morning. However, it was 9am.’’

Hobbs sentenced Shadlock to nine months’ supervision and compulsory counselling courses, and fined him $100 on the intentional damage charge.

Hennessy said Shadlock currently had no income but was willing to make reparations when possible. He was also dealing with a marijuana addiction.

Shadlock has had four previous convictions, with one as recent as July 10, and is currently carrying out community service.