‘Extraordinarily dangerous’ act earns judge’s rebuke

THE action of a passenger who pulled on the vehicle’s handbrake while his partner was driving about 100kmh was ‘‘extraordinarily dangerous’’, Judge Emma Smith said.

Neville Anthony Silcock appeared for sentencing in the Alexandra District Court on Monday on two charges arising from the incident.

‘‘The pulling of the handbrake on that road and at that speed was highly dangerous . . . you were jolly lucky to be walking away,’’ Judge Smith told the 40yearold farmer, of Styx.

Silcock had consumed a ‘‘great amount’’ of alcohol on October 7 and smoked cannabis as well, she said.

He was arguing with his partner as she drove on Upper TaieriPaerau Rd and became so enraged he pulled on the handbrake, causing the vehicle to fishtail along the road and tip on its side. He and the driver were able to ‘‘walk away’’ from the crashed car.

After the crash, the driver hit the defendant ‘‘out of frustration and distress’’ and he retaliated by restraining her forcibly, which resulted in him facing an assault charge.

The victim took responsibility by saying she hit him first but she was ‘‘extremely distressed’’ by his behaviour and should not take responsibility for him assaulting her, Judge Smith said.

Counsel Justine Baird said because Silcock lived in a remote area, disqualification from driving would have a significant effect on his employment and would also restrict his penalty options.

Judge Smith said the option of an electronicallymonitored sentence was unavailable and she knew carrying out community work would be difficult but it would bring home to him the seriousness of his actions.

If he did not complete community work, he might find himself in prison, she said.

On the charge of driving dangerously, Silcock was sentenced to 60 hours’ community work, ordered to pay $130 court costs and disqualified from driving for six months.

For the assault, he was sentenced to six months’ supervision.

❛ The pulling of the handbrake on that road and at that speed was highly dangerous . . . you were jolly lucky to

be walking away