Drugfuelled crimes bring supervision

A DUNEDIN man was so strung out on drugs he ended up standing on a washing machine brandishing a frying pan, trying to hit a man hiding in a shower.

Lokenitama Filipo (35) appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to assault with a weapon, threatening to kill and five counts of shoplifting.

Defence counsel Ann Leonard said her client had little recollection of any of the offences which saw him remanded in custody for more than three months.

Filipo, who had ‘‘longstanding drug issues’’, was feeling anxious and depressed after his partner’s death, his counsel said.

‘‘He was using any drug he could get,’’ she told the court.

On November 3, Filipo went on a theft spree, first picking up a DKNY fragrance tester from Farmers, followed by a $160 pair of shoes from another store, which a staff member managed to wrestle from him.

Minutes later he returned to Farmers and walked out with $300 worth of toys before topping it off with six beers from Countdown.

When police arrested him they also found a $30 pair of shoes stolen from Number One Shoes.

In his agitated state, Filipo continued to cause mayhem at the police station where he was placed in an observation cell.

To the police officer tasked with watching him, he said: ‘‘I will put a bullet in your head’’.

Judge Kevin Phillips said the defendant’s most serious offence came on January 14 while on bail.

Filipo went to a Dunedin boarding house where approached a man and asked to buy cannabis.

When the victim ignored him, he put him in a ‘‘bear hug’’ from behind, before the man wriggled free and sought refuge in a shower cubicle.

However, the wooden door behind which he hid did not reach the roof.

Filipo grabbed a frying pan from the kitchen, climbed on to a laundry appliance and swung the utensil over the partition while the victim covered his head with his arms.

The cornered man, who suffered a cut to his forearm, opened the window of the shower cubicle and yelled for help, and the defendant scarpered.

Judge Phillips said the ordeal would have been disquieting for the victim, especially given Filipo’s stature.

‘‘You’re a reasonably substantial human being,’’ he said.

‘‘You’re extremely fortunate he wasn’t seriously injured by your actions.’’

While Probation assessed Filipo as being at medium risk of reoffending, Judge Phillips said he considered the likelihood to be high.

He sentenced the defendant to 18 months’ intensive supervision and 400 hours’ community work.

But the judge was worried about Filipo’s commitment to his rehabilitation.

‘‘My concern is that I’m setting you up to fail,’’ he said. ‘‘I have very little faith in your ability to comply with what has to be an extremely lengthy period of intensive supervision.’’