Levin business owner denies pulling gun on ‘family friend’

A Horowhenua man accused of pulling a gun on a family friend has been told to stay away from his former partner while on bail, despite sharing custody of their daughter.

Kushal Chand appeared in the Levin District Court via audiovisual link from prison last Wednesday facing charges of possessing and presenting a firearm.

Judge Bruce Northwood said police raided his Goldsmith Cres home on February 10 after reports Chand had allegedly pointed a gun at another person’s head. This person had been on the phone at the time to Chand’s former partner’s family.

Police said Chand fled on foot with the gun when they arrived, but was arrested shortly after. The firearm was never recovered.

Defence lawyer Kelvin Campbell said his client was pleading not guilty to the charges and he wanted to make an application for electronically-monitored bail.

The address he wanted to serve this at had been assessed as appropriate but he accepted there were concerns from authorities. These related to his daughter being at the home when the gun was still outstanding, and having contact with his former partner who had given a statement to police about the alleged incident. He said they were currently staying at his home to protect his business assets, but would move back to a Foxton address if he returned.

According to the companies register, Chand owned a trucking business that cleared away abandoned and unwanted storage.

A police prosecutor told the court the woman’s intentions were to help Chand on a day-to-day basis.

They were concerned he could influence her statement and were opposed to bail.

Judge Northwood said looking at Chand’s history it was hard to trust him.

He noted his previous convictions and the fact police were worried he would tamper with evidence. But he also said there was a need to strike a balance between what was fair for all.

His former partner had written a letter to the court in support of Chand’s application, but because of its “tone and style” the judge could not put much weight on its contents.

The judge did however consider the time it might take to get to trial, and said the most appropriate solution would be to grant the application with a non-contact order.

This meant he could have electronically monitored bail on the condition Chand had no contact with police witnesses, including his former partner.

The judge said he was not “moveable” on this condition and told Chand if he did not accept it he would stay in jail.

He also warned him of what could happen if he breached his bail.

“If the police do a bail check and she’s there, you’re back in prison ... right now I’m struggling to trust you.”

Chand would next appear in the Levin District Court in June.