Lockdown diver threatens police

A Taranaki man caught diving for seafood during the coronavirus lockdown had a lengthy standoff with police, threatening officers with a kitchen knife and a rock.

On Thursday, Joshua Charles Decke, 29, appeared for sentencing in the New Plymouth District Court where it was heard he and a friend had been diving for seafood at Bell Block Beach on April 6.

At the time, the country was in alert level 4 and fishing and hunting were not permitted.

Around 4pm, passing police officers spotted the men and attempted to speak with them, a police summary of facts stated.

The pair verbally abused the officers and Decke’s mate was subsequently arrested.

Continuing to yell at the officers, Decke picked up a rock while in the other hand he held up a kitchen knife.

He made threats, saying: ‘‘I will bash you with this and then give you some of this,’’ referring to the knife, the summary stated.

More police units arrived at the scene and Decke fled into the water, climbing onto rocks further out in the sea.

Negotiations were unsuccessful and police began to leave the area but while doing so Decke reappeared on shore and again verbally abused the officers.

As a police vehicle attempted to leave the car park, Decke got hold of a rock and threw it at the vehicle. It didn’t cause any damage. But Decke then grabbed another rock and threw it at the window of a nearby house, causing it to smash.

Decke was eventually found hiding in a bush and arrested.

While in police custody, Decke defecated in his cell and smeared it over the windows and walls. The police cell needed to be professionally cleaned.

A week later, while still in police custody, he repeated the act as well destroying police-issued clothing.

In court, defence lawyer Kylie Pascoe said Decke’s offending was largely due to a deterioration of his mental health.

However, he was now receiving help and supported by family, Pascoe said.

She asked Judge Gregory Hikaka to consider a sentence of supervision and reparation.

Police prosecutor Lewis Sutton supported the sentence, stating Decke had already spent a couple of weeks in custody.

For the incidents, as well as a November 6 incident which saw Decke brandishing a hammer and threatening to harm a man’s dog with it, he was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision.

Judge Hikaka ordered he pay reparation of $950 for the broken window and $1000 for the damage caused to police property.