Dunedin District Court
SENTENCED by Judge Mark Callaghan in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday were. —
Bwarerei Kaieti (18), student, of Invercargill, drinkdriving under 20, 391mcg, careless driving, (driving Suzuki, hit the back of a parked vehicle, came to a rest a short distance away, police found him at the scene, Kaieti told officers he had been “looking downwards” at the time of impact; counsel Ann Leonard said the defendant had been drinking with a friend but stopped two hours before driving, the car he drove belonged to friend, Kaieti would pay for the damage), 3.45am, May 16, Princes St, reparation $3500, fined $400, court costs $130, three months' disqualification.
John Phillip Copley (60), supermarket worker, of Dunedin, assault in a family relationship (home with his wife, drinking whiskey and beer, became irritated about daughter being in Auckland, victim drank Copley's whiskey to stop him drinking more, family member saw defendant berate her and slap her face; victim said she wanted Copley back home and wanted him to address his issues), July 4, nine months' supervision.
Mathew Thomas Robinson (47), of Dunedin, shoplifting (Robinson walked into Leith St Liquorland, selected $10 bottle of moscato wine, took a large drink, walked out without paying, returned 30 minutes later, chose a $20 bottle of pinot gris and repeated his actions, police arrested him on the way out; court heard Robinson had been released from prison on July 1 for similar offending, counsel Pete Tuala said his client acknowledged he was an alcoholic), July 6, six weeks' imprisonment.
Samuel Christopher Burgess (30), of Dunedin, possession of a weapon, unlawfully carrying a firearm (Burgess was walking in Mailer St with a firearm and 60cm machete, while police looked for him he discarded a backpack containing the weapons, later apprehended by officers, firearm was a .177 air rifle with stock cut off and scope fitted; counsel Ann Leonard said her client had been living in a boarding house and had become “really irritated”, he was heading for Mornington Park to hunt possums, she said), February 28, 12 months' supervision, 140 hours' community work, order for destruction of weapons.
Joshua Christian van der Byl (28), labourer, of Dunedin, threatening to kill (victim the defendant's father; Judge Callaghan said van der Byl suffered a psychiatric illness that was being treated by mental health professionals), January 12, 12month deferred sentence.