Colourful past of a self-styled Samaritan
A former stripper who launched a free street hospital in Christchurch has an array of convictions and was investigated by police for sending what a mother considered were inappropriate messages to a teenage girl.
Shane Casbolt, 25, sole director of Lifecare Event Ambulance Service, launched a free street hospital last weekend. The project runs every Friday and Saturday from 9pm until 3am.
His colourful work history includes volunteer firefighter, surf lifesaver, first aider and ‘‘ghostbuster’’ in Nelson. Casbolt ran Dominate Christchurch Male Strippers, but closed the business after it got ‘‘too busy’’. He says he has more than 10 years of emergency services experience.
The Press has become aware of allegations Casbolt sent inappropriate messages to an young teenager in 2014. Her mother said Casbolt sent several messages talking about ‘‘graphic’’ dreams he had about the girl, 14.
The woman was ‘‘shocked’’ when she became aware and went straight to police with a copy of the messages. No charges were laid.
‘‘They went around to see him but of course . . . my daughter never met up with him as such. In the images he . . . wasn’t naked or anything.’’
The woman said it was ‘‘frustrating’’ seeing recent media coverage of Casbolt’s new business ventures.
‘‘He likes that, being the centre of attention. In a way you’re kind of giving him what he wants.’’
Through his lawyer, Casbolt denied the mother’s claims and said he has never engaged in any inappropriate or illegal conduct with or towards any young teenagers.
A lawyer acting for Casbolt said: ‘‘To the extent that the Police ‘investigated’ any complaint, that appears to have been dismissed at the earliest stage. Any reference to an investigation implies that there was conduct worthy of investigation, which is clearly not the case.’’
‘‘He likes that, being the centre of attention.’’
The Press has also obtained Casbolt’s fines summary between 2011 and 2016. In that period he received at least 40 fines, totalling $9000. The tally includes 19 fines for no Warrant of Fitness, 11 for operating an unlicensed vehicle, one for driving with excess blood alcohol. He was issued a Driver Licence Stop Order in December 2014.
It’s understood Casbolt has convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. In 2011, he was convicted of impersonating a policeman and sentenced to community work, but the penalty was later replaced with a $1300 fine.
Police refused to comment on his criminal history or on whether they had concerns about the street hospital.
Canterbury’s acting St
John district operations manager Sean Lester said Casbolt’s history ‘‘certainly appears interesting’’.
St John staff and volunteers were subject to a police check procedure, which Lester said provided a level of assurance to the public. Lester could not comment on whether Casbolt would be employed by St John if he should apply.
‘‘However, if an individual with multiple criminal activities on their file did apply to join St John, our police checking and interviewing process would highlight these as a concern and their application may not be followed through.’’
Lester said people needed to be ‘‘very cautious’’ about operators who are claiming to provide ambulance services.
‘‘We question very strongly the level of care this organisation can provide. What are their levels of qualification? What training do they provide their staff? Who has clinical oversight of them?’’
Determining whether a ‘‘vulnerable, intoxicated person’’ was safe to be taken home or may need to be seen in the emergency department was often a ‘‘complex decision’’.
‘‘We have seen examples of patients we have transported to the emergency department who appear to just need observing who have gone on to be
admitted to the ICU. By contrast, we have also seen patients who we think are going to ICU being discharged within an hour or two – we would like to strongly advise that the public should dial 111 if someone appears so intoxicated that they need medical help.’’
In an earlier interview, Casbolt said two teams, of two or three people, would patrol the CBD as part of his latest project. A detox area would be set up with a gazebo and some stretchers.
‘‘It’s pretty much just taking the stress off frontline ambulances and ED staff really. That’s pretty much just providing buckets and treating if people need oxygen or cuts if people have been in fights.
‘‘We are hoping to respond to medical-related jobs in the city and triage the patient and then decide whether they go to hospital, go to an after-hours medical centre or if they just go home.’’
Casbolt did not respond to requests by The Press to detail the qualifications his organisation and staff held. Through his lawyer Casbolt said staff were subject to criminal record checks.