Twice arrested in no time

A man arrested twice in the space of 90 minutes after a dispute with his neighbour had to be restrained from attacking the victim by police.

At the Oamaru District Court on Wednesday Christopher Farquhar MacRae (43), of Oamaru, was ordered to appear if called on within six months by Judge Joanna Maze after the had earlier pleased guilty to a charge of threatening to kill.

A police summary of facts read in court said about 6.15pm on January 12 MacRae was arrested after he entered the victim’s property brandishing a cricket bat, which resulted in a verbal altercation that turned physical when he pushed his neighbour.

MacRae was given a precharge warning when police arrived at the scene, but it did little to deter him from engaging with the victim.

About 7.30pm he yelled obscenities directed towards his neighbour across the fence, before police turned up for a second time and heard MacRae’s verbal tirade.

After being arrested, he had to be restrained by police when he tried to advance on the victim.

He continued to yell at the victim while being led to a patrol car, the summary said.

MacRae told police his actions came in the heat of the moment.

During sentencing, Judge Maze said it concerned her that MacRae’s ‘‘fury had continued’’ despite already being warned about his behaviour by police.

When asked by Judge Maze whether the defendant had an issue with alcohol abuse, his lawyer Catherine Henry said that was not the case and her client had abstained from drinking since the holiday period.