Neighbour threatened in noise row

Abuse included a challenge to fight the man and burn his house down.

Upset that someone had dobbed him in because of his loud music, a man launched an alcohol-fuelled tirade and threatened to burn down his neighbour’s house.

On November 7, Fogaga Vaotuua had his stereo on full bore for about two hours while he downed beers at his New Plymouth home.

The summary of facts said a complaint was made to Noise Control about the loud music, which was noted as being regularly played at Vaotuua’s address.

Officers attended the call-out and warned the defendant to turn the music down. During their visit, officials also spoke to Vaotuua’s neighbour.

But 47-year-old Vaotuua got angry and thought the man had dobbed him in.

Vaotuua ran over to the victim’s house, which prompted the man to hurry inside to get away.

The defendant followed and slammed the aluminium gate at the entrance to the property with such force it buckled.

He then stood in the victim’s driveway and hurled abuse, including a challenge to fight the man as well as to burn the house down. Vaotuua also threw rocks at the home, damaging the outside cladding.

The abusive outburst lasted about ten minutes before Vaotuua returned to his property, but he continued to yell abuse in the victim’s direction.

The defendant threw an empty beer bottle, which smashed on his neighbour’s front lawn, before throwing another on to the main road. Police arrived soon after.

Yesterday, Vaotuua pleaded guilty to charges of wilful damage, speaking threateningly and wilfully breaking glass in a public place.

Lawyer Nathan Bourke told the New Plymouth District Court that Vaotuua ‘‘felt aggrieved’’ but acknowledged the impact the violent reaction had on the victim.

‘‘This couldn’t have been a pleasant experience for the neighbour,’’ he said.

Bourke said Vaotuua had a limited criminal history and much of it was related to alcohol use.

Community magistrate Sherida Cooper did not accept Vaotuua’s offer to pay back $500 in reparation for the damage he caused at $10 a week, despite his claims of hardship.

Vaotuua, who is on a benefit, told her he could only afford $10 a week after he covered his rent, child support and food bills.

This was challenged by Cooper, who said he appeared to have enough money to buy alcohol.

She said the victim, who is a student, was facing a bill from Housing New Zealand to fix the damage to the property which had been Vaotuua’s fault. ‘‘In this matter, I feel for the victim, who must be terrified to live next to you.’’

She imposed payment of $25 a week and ordered Vaotuua to complete 80 hours of community work.