Oamaru District Court

AN Oamaru man will spend the next 16 months behind bars after being jailed for a raft of charges yesterday.

Abbe Lee Taingahue (29) had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of driving while disqualified, three of theft, two of wilful trespass and a single charge of possession of an offensive weapon.

All of his offending took place in Oamaru between October and April.

In the Oamaru District Court, Taingahue’s lawyer, Michael de Buyzer questioned the seriousness of the possession of an offensive weapon charge, after the court heard the weapon, a set of knuckledusters, was more of an ornamental piece, as it was attached to a bag that belonged to his client and in clear view of the public.

However, Judge Tony Couch disagreed and said that knuckledusters had ‘‘no other purpose’’ than as an offensive weapon.

Before sentencing Taingahue, Judge Couch said that the defendant had a ‘‘distressing history’’ of drinkdriving and dishonesty offences and he had little choice but to jail him.

On the two drinkdriving charges Taingahue was sentenced to 12 months’ prison; three months on the charge of possession of an offensive weapon and one month on all other charges, to be served concurrently.

Drinkdriving, casino trespass

A night of drinking before a visit to Christchurch Casino in April did not pay off for a Palmerston man.

Mario Jon Pine (27) was sentenced in the Oamaru District Court yesterday on two charges of drinkdriving, one of wilful trespass and one of refusing to accompany an officer.

Shortly before 12.30am on April 26, Pine entered the casino, from where he had been trespassed in June 2016.

He was asked for identification by security staff at the entrance, but refused to provide it before he walked inside and became aggressive towards staff and patrons.

After being repeatedly asked to leave, he complied and got into a vehicle on Victoria St.

At 12.40am he was stopped by police and asked to undergo a breathalcohol test, which produced a positive result. He was then asked to accompany officers for an evidential breath test but refused several times.

When eventually tested, he recorded a breathalcohol level of 894mcg.

Earlier, on January 11, Pine was stopped by police, again on Victoria St, at 3.30am.

An evidential breath test recorded a reading of 788mcg.

On the drinkdriving charges Pine was sentenced to seven months’ home detention, and one month’s home detention for wilful trespass, to be served concurrently.

He was discharged without conviction on the charge of refusing to accompany a police officer.

Other convictions

Abhishek Chopra (21), of Oamaru, driving while disqualified, Awamoa Rd, April 14; driving while disqualified, Tees St, May 16, 120 hours community work, disqualified 12 months.

Zacharriah Katu Darrin Robert Uerata (17), of Oamaru, drinkdriving, 221mg, at Oamaru, fined $250, court costs $130, disqualified three months.

Rawinia Carlene Charlotte Pirere (44), of Oamaru, breach of release conditions, at Invercargill, February 27, convicted and discharged.

Logan Reid Gillard (23), of Oamaru, driving in a dangerous manner, Thames St, Oamaru, March 31, fined $800, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Joshua Zane John Boylen (28), of Oamaru, drinkdriving, 685mcg, Humber St, Oamaru, April 20, fined $750, court costs 4130, disqualified eight months.

Eden Anthony Sheehy (17), of Alma, assault, at Oamaru, January 21, ordered to appear if called upon within six months; theft, at Oamaru, between January 21 and January 23, $60 reparation.

Jasmine Jenner (26), of Oamaru, driving while disqualified, State Highway 1, May 18, fined $300, court costs $130, disqualified six months. Jacob Neihana HodgettsRoss (23), labourer, of Oamaru, driving while suspended, at Napier, January 16, disqualified six months; drinkdriving, 752mcg, State Highway 1, March 15, disqualified indefinitely, four months’ home detention; breach of community work, at Oamaru, one month’s home detention; breach of intensive supervision (two charges), at Oamaru, one month’s home detention on each charge (home detention to be served concurrently).

Thomas Stanley Pui (35), shed hand, of Kurow, male assaults female, October 13, at Kurow, 12 months’ supervision, protection order issued.

Daniel James Mitchell (28), of Oamaru, breach of supervision, at Oamaru, convicted and discharged.