‘I’m going to stab you’ — intruder
Meth addict’s sentence riles 83-year-old victims’ son
An 83-year-old greatgrandfather feared for his life as a meth addict stormed into his Christchurch home and screamed, “I am going to stab you, you bastard!”.
For three decades, John McCammon and wife Colleen, 81, had proudly repaired and maintained their heritage Papanui home, while pottering in the garden, and enjoying their retirements in a closeknit community.
In the same period, Maera Elizabeth Todd, 39, was growing up surrounded by violence, poverty, and drug addiction, and racking up 48 criminal convictions over nearly 30 years of offending.
The two worlds collided brutally on August 13 this year when John McCammon was at home alone.
Todd and another woman, who has admitted a robbery charge and will be sentenced in January, burst in and demanded money, the Christchurch District Court heard yesterday.
The other woman went through bedroom drawers while Todd pushed partially sighted McCammon down. A silver watch was taken from his pocket. McCammon pleaded with Todd, saying he had no money. But when he screamed for help, Todd shoved a cushion over his face. She held garden secateurs in front of his face and said, “I’m going to stab you, you bastard”.
Then Colleen McCammon returned home. As she opened the door, Todd shoved her from the top step and she landed on her back on the concrete path.
But with the raid going wrong — and a neighbour hearing the commotion and calling police — the pair fled in a car. They were stopped nearby with stolen items.
Todd earlier admitted two charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.
The victims were hospitalised but not seriously hurt.
But the court heard yesterday that the invasion had left a harrowing ongoing legacy.
John McCammon demanded Todd look him in the eye as he read a powerful victim impact statement which described how she had left him frightened, angry and receiving regular counselling.
“The events of Monday the 13th of August have totally changed my life. I thought I was going to be killed.”
The McCammons say they are too scared to remain at the family home they love yet can’t afford to move.
John McCammon told Todd the psychological damage she inflicted would stay forever.
Judge Jane Farish told Todd she should be “ashamed and appalled”.
Todd was sentenced to seven years and four months in jail, with a requirement she serve at least half of that.
She was given a 25 per cent discount on her final conviction for her early guilty plea.
Outside court, son Chris McCammon said he was disappointed by the sentence.
“For Mum and Dad, I feel cheated for them. The law says there is a maximum of 14 years. For the judge to give seven, and then 50 per cent of that she is up for parole . . .
“I’m not happy.”