Dunedin District Court
DOMESTIC violence against a woman with whom he had been in an ‘‘onoff’’ relationship for about three years brought jail for a man sentenced by Judge Kevin Phillips in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Eru Rakete Karetai (25), of Dunedin, had been convicted of breaching a protection order by physically abusing the protected person, assaulting her, and breaching the protection order by psychologically abusing her, on June 18.
He had admitted the three charges and waived his right to a presentence report.
The police summary said Karetai and the victim were in bed, about 6.50pm, when Karetai noticed the victim texting on her phone.
Upset by that, Karetai grabbed the phone from her and began looking through it.
He became angry at the victim and kicked her in her back in an attempt to get her out of bed.
He also yelled at her and verbally abused her, calling her derogatory names.
The victim eventually called police.
She was not injured by the assault. But she was upset by the verbal abuse and, when police arrived, requested to see Emergency Psychological Services.
Counsel John Westgate said Karetai had written a letter of apology to the victim, a letter to the court and had also completed a course in prison. The incident was short. Noone was hurt.
Judge Phillips noted Karetai had previous convictions for domestic violence.
Karetai was sentenced to eight months’ jail for breaching the protection order by physically abusing the protected person and given concurrent fourmonth terms on the two other charges.
Six months’ release conditions, from the sentence end, include requirement to undergo a domestic violence programme, as directed by probation.
Other convictions
Jamie Anton Hunita Van Hassell (38), storeman, of Dunedin, drinkdriving (police called by public because the defendant was driving on his rims, said he had consumed two lagers and was on the way home from McDonalds, no previous convictions; duty lawyer Ann Leonard said the man was the sole caregiver for his terminallyill mother and it was “getting a little on top of him”, he was going for a drive to clear his mind, she said), 194mg, 12.15am, June 6, York Place, fined $750, court costs $130, eight months’ disqualification.
Frederick Oldshue Robertshaw (20), student, of Dunedin, drinkdriving (random breath test, defendant said he thought he would be fine to drive, no previous convictions; duty lawyer Noel Rayner said the man was from the US and studying in Dunedin) 749mcg, 11.30pm, July 13, Clyde St, fined $750, court costs $130, six months’ disqualification.
Jason Peter Duncan (45), unemployed, drinkdriving, 578mcg (random breath test; said driving home), Glen Rd, about 2am, June 16, 50 hours’ community work, disqualified six months.
Lesley Margaret Shand (70), retired, of Dunedin, drink driving (stopped for breath test after seen leaving the car park of local hotel, said she had four stubbies, thought she would be under the limit, no previous convictions; duty lawyer Ann Leonard said ‘‘she doesn’t get out much’’, Shand had been at an event during the afternoon and was going home for dinner, she said), 562mcg, 6pm, July 14, Stevenson Rd, fined $560, court costs $130, six months’ disqualification.
Freya Danae Brownlie (20), of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 540mcg, Moray Place, about 1.30am, July 15, fined $540, court costs $130, disqualified six months.
Troy Bailey Latta (26), dairy farm worker, of Clarendon, drinkdriving, 103mg, Waihola highway, about 10.20pm, July 10, fined $400, court costs $130, medical and analyst’s fees $111.99, disqualified six months.
Simon Russell Paterson (44), administration clerk, of Mosgiel, drinkdriving, 464mcg (said thought would be OK to drive), Gowland St, 11.40pm, July 13, fined $460, court costs $130, disqualified six months.
Dylan Robert James George (22), of Dunedin, dangerous driving (police camera van detected speed of 105kmh, stated he had not driven in a while and thought he ‘‘would give it a go’’, no previous convictions; duty lawyer Deborah Henderson said George had borrowed a friend’s car for a couple of days to do some jobs, ‘‘it was a cool car and he could feel the power’’), 11.30am, February 21, Balmacewen Rd, fined $400, court costs $130, six months’ disqualification. Zak Damon Toms Hartzuikei (24), forklift operator, of Dunedin, operating vehicle so it had sustained loss of traction (police in wharf area due to congregation of about 30 parked boy racer cars, when police moved off they heard vehicle revving its engine, police returned, saw defendant spinning car, smoke coming from rear wheels, engine revving excessively; defendant denied doing a donut, said he was doing a onewheel peel), Fryatt and Willis Sts intersection, about 12.05am, July 15, fined $400, court costs $130, disqualified six months. Counsel Louise Garthwaite said ‘‘out of character’’, defendant got caught up in the moment.
Kane Jeffrey Owen Heads (17), employed, driving while driver licence suspended (said driving to get his friend’s car home so his friend didn’t drive drunk), Glasgow St, Balclutha, about 2am, last Saturday, fined $300, court costs $130, disqualified six months (from October 10 when suspension ends).
Jarrod Middlemiss (17), student, of Dunedin, dishonestly taking a vehicle, failed to stop for police (defendant was with a male and female friend in Invercargill, girl stole car keys from a home, Middlemiss drove off, stopped at petrol station, associate put $76 of petrol into diesel vehicle, left for Gore without paying, in Pukerau police signalled vehicle to pull over, Middlemiss drove for 27km until he broke down in Clinton; the engine was ‘‘totally cooked’’ Judge Phillips said), March 28, 140 hours’ community work, nine months’ supervision, $200 reparation, six months’ disqualification.
Regan James Lester (28), of Dunedin, assaulting child aged 5 (known to him), between February 15 and March 13; Crimes Act male assaults female offence against partner, March 13; receiving commercial batteries (value $306), Port Chalmers, February 26; receiving commercial batteries (value $107), Port Chalmers, February 27; dishonestly using Mastercard (had been stolen), February 27, overall sentence six months’ home detention (with six months’ post detention conditions), 180 hours’ community work, $500 emotional harm reparation to male assaults female victim and protection order in her favour, reparation $413 (receiving). Counsel Anne Stevens said presentence report positive; Lester in custody since March 15.
Simon Troupe Armishaw (44), shearer, of Middlemarch, breaching protection order by going on to land occupied by the protected person without the person’s consent (about 12.30am, Armishaw called victim, looking for his wandering dog; dog arrived at victim’s place some time later, victim texted Armishaw saying dog at her house, would put it on its chain in the morning; about 4.45am, Armishaw arrived at victim’s house uninvited and yelling at her to open door, he walked around and broke a window; victim saw him driving away; Armishaw said had just gone to get the dog, didn’t mean to break the window), Middlemarch, April 19, three months’ community detention (curfewed 8pm5.30am daily).
Cory Winder (37), possessing utensils (glass pipe and broken glass pipe) for smoking methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine (0.5g), possessing cannabis (47.9g good quality, 3.5g high quality), possessing morphine (seven 100mg morphine sulphate pills, fifteen 10mg morphine sulphate pills; stated very intimidating person forced him to take the pills and try to sell them, could not so intended to give them back), police search at Winder’s address, about 10.15am, May 1, overall sentence three months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm7am daily).
A then 20yearold Dunedin woman, having sexual connection with young person (14yearold boy), night of June 1213 last year; Crimes Act assault on January 27 this year, Crimes Act assault and theft on January 28, threatening behaviour and wilful damage on January 29 (all five offences against PACT workers; defendant resident at PACT assisted living on January 27 and 28; offending on January 29 occurred after defendant was evicted the previous day and had 48 hours to move from the address), overall sentence 300 hours’ community work, 18 months’ intensive supervision (including requirement to undergo a STOP programme and a psychological assessment and any followup), ‘‘first strike’’ warning on sex offence. Counsel Cate Andersen said ‘‘inner turmoil’’ the underlying cause of defendant’s past behaviour, she had done exceedingly well since February ‘‘rightly very proud of herself, engaging with the agencies she needs to’’. Judge told defendant ‘‘really the end of the line for you . . . the last time the judges in considering your situation will look at the horrific times you had as a young girl and teenager’’.
Steven Brenton Austen (53), of Dunedin, breaching home detention (field officer at Austen’s address, 10.30pm, July 18; Austen had clearly been drinking; when police arrived Austen told them he had consumed 15 beers; in explanation said having relationship problems), convicted and discharged.
Keanu Warren Tairi (21), beneficiary, of Mosgiel, theft (drinking and socialising with associates at Crofters Arms, took puffer jacket from beneath bar leaner, put on jacket and left with associate; jacket and personal items in pockets not recovered), Mosgiel early May 4, 60 hours’ community work, reparation $500. Counsel Noel Rayner said Tairi had been at friend’s birthday function, very intoxicated, did not normally drink, had now completed ‘‘with distinction’’ army limited volunteer course, ‘‘quite transforming for him . . . has a job interview next week’’.
Martin Ralph Bowler (28), of Dunedin, intentional damage (mother arrived home, noticed a window and the cordless phone broken; asked what happened, Bowler stated he may or may not have thrown the phone at the window; in explanation Bowler told police he threw the phone at the window because he was trying to talk to his mate and couldn’t hear him properly; mother not seeking reparation), afternoon June 27, 60 hours’ community work. Judge noted Bowler previously convicted of wilful damage and violence.