Diversion offer dropped after drink-drive stop

A Temuka man who tried to incite partygoers in October last year has lost his police offer of diversion after drink-driving almost three months later in breach of a zero alcohol licence.

On Tuesday, William Stuart Eric Ian Annan appeared before Judge Campbell Savage in the Timaru District Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence and resisting police. He also pleaded guilty to charges of driving contrary to a zero alcohol licence and driving with excess breath alcohol. Annan's lawyer, Matthew Bonniface, revealed that police had withdrawn the diversion offer on the first two charges because of the subsequent drink-driving offending, which occurred on January 6.

The charges of disorderly behaviour and resisting police stemmed from a large party held in Temuka on October 14, 2023.

“Fights were reported to be breaking out and screaming could be heard,” the police summary of facts said. Police estimated 70 to 100 people were in Lamont Rd, which accessed several residences. “Police asked the people to disperse and leave the area as a matter of peacekeeping.”

Annan was one of the people asked to leave, but he was not co-operative. Instead, he invited others to fights, “using put-downs and abusive language to incite a response”, the summary said. Police attempted to shepherd Annan and a group of males along Lamont Rd; however, “despite several warnings, the defendant continued his antagonistic behaviour towards people”.

“His invitation was taken up by one male, who hit the defendant.“

Police separated the two men and continued attempts to disperse the crowd. “The defendant refused to leave and continued to goad others present to violence, shouting abuse, derogatory comments and taunting,” the summary said. “He did not heed police advice to stop and was arrested.” The summary said Annan then braced his arms firmly to his sides, preventing a police officer from handcuffing him.

“The defendant was warned more than one time to not resist and to comply with the arrest process, to which he responded, ‘You’ve got the training – deal with it.’”

Annan was convicted on all charges and remanded to July 11 for sentencing.