Enraged couple lucky to avoid prison

AN Alexandra couple who committed a series of crimes in a ‘‘frenzy of rage’’ narrowly avoided prison after being given a second chance by Judge Kevin Phillips in the Alexandra District Court on Tuesday.

Jeremy Peter Carthew Creek (27) was told he should consider himself ‘‘extremely fortunate’’ not to go to prison, and Freda Girl Carmichael (28) was told she had been given a ‘‘major opportunity’’ and warned not to let those down who were trying to help her.

The pair were before the court for two joint charges and other offending done separately.

The joint charges were possessing an offensive weapon and intentional damage of a car in Palmerston North on January 20.

Creek had rammed someone’s car before driving to Carmichael’s home. The occupants of the rammed car followed him. Creek fetched a crowbar and a pair of boltcutters, then the duo smashed the windscreen, bonnet and panels on the rammed car ‘‘in a frenzy of rage’’, Judge Phillips said.

Creek was also charged with dangerous driving and driving while suspended in PalmerstonNorth on January 20; dangerous driving, driving while suspended and failing to stop for a police officer in Pahiatua, on February 3; and stealing $35.78 of petrol from a Gull petrol station in Morrinsville on November 28, 2016.

Carmichael was also charged with driving while disqualified (having been convicted twice of the same offence) in Palmerston North on January 20; driving while suspended (having been convicted twice of the same offence) in Waiouru on January 20; driving while suspended (having been convicted twice of the same same offence) in Kawerau on February 2; and stealing $170 of clothing from Sports World in Morrinsville on November 12 2016.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Adrian Cheyne said Creek had previously been convicted of possession of an offensive weapon within five years and had a long history of other offending.

Counsel for Creek, Kieran Tohill, said Creek had come to Alexandra for a new start, been offered an apprenticeship and was living with family.

Judge Phillips said together Creek and Carmichael promoted criminal activity.

But the opportunities Creek had in Alexandra amounted to special reasons not to send him to prison.

Instead, Creek was sentenced to home detention of eight months and ordered not to associate with Carmichael.

He was also ordered to pay $2500 towards the car damage, given 375 hours of community work and banned from driving for 15 months.

Carmichael was also told by Judge Phillips she had been given a second chance as her offending would normally haveresulted in a prison sentence.

Counsel for Carmichael, Justine Baird, said Carmichael had a difficult upbringing and her life had been one of survival.

She was now intending to make changes and prove herself.

If she went to prison her five children would be taken into care and separated, the court heard.

Judge Phillips said social services had ‘‘wrapped themselves around’’ Carmichael since her move to Alexandra and warned her not to let them or Ms Baird down.

She was sentenced to four months’ community detention, nine months’ intensive supervision, 120 hours of community work, reparation of $1170.

Carmichael was also told she could not communicate with Creek without the prior approval of Probation.