Party host ‘Momma Doof’ charged by police
A mother who hosted a series of underage parties with up to 400 teenagers in a barn has been charged by police.
Christchurch woman Theresa Soper told on Monday she had hosted about 18 parties over the last two years.
Her latest party, celebrating Halloween, ended about 9.30pm on Saturday when the police riot squad arrived and dispersed about
200 teenagers from the Styx property.
Yesterday, police confirmed a
48-year-old woman was summonsed to appear in the Christchurch District Court charged with allowing an unlicensed premises to be used for the consumption of alcohol.
‘‘They just came and served me.’’
She was ‘‘disappointed’’ police had decided to charge her.
‘‘It’s probably just a police formality they have to do. They’re pretty good parties. I’ve been trying to keep within the law.’’
Soper said she would still hold her daughter’s 16th birthday party this weekend.
The parties host up to 400 teenagers, some as young as 16, from across the city. Soper claims some of the partygoers are children of ‘‘very powerful people’’.
Soper had worried about her 16-year-old daughter going to outof-control parties with no security, so decided to host her own events where teens could party safely.
‘‘What was happening is the kids have been going to parties – they vomit on the street, they p… off the neighbours and this is where they get in trouble.’’
The barn, named the Belfast Barn Bar, is on Main North Rd, near Marshland Rd. There were no neighbours in sight and security guards were hired.
Soper initially paid for the parties herself at a cost of about $3500 each. No longer in a financial position to host them for free, she now charged $15 a ticket to cover costs. All the profits went to teen charities, she said.
Soper gave a tour of the barn on Monday. Inside is a stripper’s pole, a DJ booth, a wooden dance floor and some seats from the Ngaio Marsh Theatre.
Outside is a custom-made urinal labelled ‘‘pisser’’, some lockers for partygoers’ bags and a barbecue.
There is also a time out room that can be used as a first aid room if someone has had too much to drink.
Soper said she did not supply alcohol, but teens brought it with them. Soper said she had a strict rule of no straight alcohol and no bottles allowed. Bags were checked at the entrance.
‘‘There would be 60 per cent that do not drink at all and others just bring a few lolly waters (premix alcohol).’’
A Facebook post shown to
listed seven rules for potential partygoers, including no weapons, no fighting and to leave when asked.
Soper said the teens just wanted to dance and party in a safe environment. She said any concerned parents were welcome to come have a look through.
‘‘We want to get it right and would appreciate any ideas or help.’’