Man shot by his business associate
Oxford man David Hunter, 36, has admitted shooting his business associate, Dean Louis, in the thigh while the latter hid behind a forklift.
Hunter and another man went onto a Yaldhurst property on July 13. Louis was with two other men, and when he saw Hunter with a firearm he hid behind a forklift, police said. Hunter fired twice, and one of the bullets lodged in Louis’ thigh. Louis ran into an office and locked the door. Hunter left the property and Louis was taken to hospital for treatment.
The police said Hunter and Louis, aged 30, were associates from previous business dealings.
Hunter, a contractor, pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday to a charge of wounding with reckless disregard for the safety of others.
He was originally charged with intending to do grievous bodily harm to Louis, but the charge was amended. Defence counsel Chris Shannon said Hunter would not apply for bail.
Judge John Strettell remanded Hunter in custody to October 19 for sentencing.
The property was the scene of an earlier incident in which Louis was charged with unlawful possession of firearms after a police search in which a dog attacked a police dog and an officer and had to be shot.
Louis denies charges relation to that incident. in