Abuse as holiday ends in court
An ‘‘unruly’’ family visiting New Zealand were met with a barrage of abuse as they supported a family member charged with theft.
English traveller Tina Maria Cash, 26, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft in the Hamilton District Court yesterday after spending the night in a police cell.
The charges related to the theft of Red Bull cans, sunglasses and rope from an Auckland service station.
Passing people and cars slowed down past the district court to yell out. ‘‘F ...... gypsies,’’ one passenger shrieked.
Others stopped to film and take pictures of the tourists on their phones yelling out ‘‘how’s your holiday?’’ and ‘‘you going to pick your rubbish up?’’ while others asked ‘‘when are you going home?’’
Jordan Ohaki-Williams was one of many keen to get a glimpse of the infamous clan on his work break.
While it was wrong of the woman to steal, he reckoned Kiwis were most angered about the family ‘‘dirtying our country’’.
The family had earlier caused outrage after leaving beer boxes, bottles and baby wipes at Takapuna Beach on Sunday afternoon.
The travellers also hit back at the attention they were receiving, with one member of the family hitting a Stuff journalist with her shoe after she was approached for comment.
A young boy also raised his middle finger and yelled at media and onlookers on his way into court.
Cash tried to ignore the attention though, refusing to comment while covering her face with a sheet of paper.
Earlier, she pleaded guilty to two charges of theft relating to the thefts in Auckland. She was ordered to pay reparation to the value of $55.20 by 4pm yesterday.
It was not the only brush with the law the family have had while they have been in New Zealand.
On Tuesday, the family caught the attention of police in Hamilton at 3pm when they started causing problems at a Burger King.
The same day, Immigration New Zealand began the process to deport the group.
INZ said Deportation Liability Notices (DLN) were served on individuals involved in the incident at the Burger King.
‘‘Section 157 (5) of the Immigration Act 2009 provides for temporary visa holders to be issued with a DLN on a number of grounds, including matters relating to character,’’ INZ assistant general manager Peter Devoy said. ‘‘Immigration officers advised the individuals of their appeal rights and provided the relevant documentation for them to appeal if they choose to do so.’’
Those issued with the DLN notice had 28 days to appeal the notice. They were also allowed to leave of their own choice before the notice period. Speaking to reporters outside the Burger King, one family member said they would be ‘‘going home on Wednesday’’.