Dispute over dog led to fake firearm threat
A Nelson man threatened a member of the public with a fake firearm after a dispute over his dog.
Jordan Donker, 26, appeared in the Nelson District Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced on a range of charges, including threatening behaviour and unlawfully carrying an imitation firearm.
The incident happened on July 18, 2019 on Vickerman St at Port Nelson. The court heard that a member of the public noticed a dog belonging to Donker that had been left unaccompanied on the back of his ute. Concerned for the animal’s welfare, the person called the SPCA – and was then confronted by Donker.
The court heard that Donker used his hand to make ‘‘consecutive shooting gestures’’ towards the informant. He then went to a boat he was living on nearby, and returned with a replica firearm which held 8mm blank rounds.
The victim, believing the weapon to be real, left. Police arrested Donker shortly afterwards.
Donker was also sentenced on charges relating to other matters this year, including unlawful hunting and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Defence lawyer Michael Vesty said the unifying theme of the charges was a lack of impulse control, which went back to Donker’s struggles with drug addiction.
Judge Garry Barkle said Donker had endured some challenges, which had contributed to his problems with drug use, but had been able to maintain his employment as a fisherman. He sentenced Donker to 12 months’ supervision and 100 hours of community work.