Neglecting mental health leads to violent assault on police

A Palmerston North man’s failure to take care of his own mental health for close to five years ended in a violent confrontation with police.

Ali Hadwen, 35, appeared for sentence in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday on 15 charges, including assaulting an officer and injuring a police dog.

The charges stemmed from an incident in September 2022 when Hadwen went to the home of his former partner.

The court was told the pair were in a relationship for eight years and had a daughter together. They were separated and, because of previous family harm incidents a protection order was in place.

Despite this, Hadwen went to the home yelling abuse and trying to get inside.

Police arrived to find Hadwen leaving in a vehicle, but when they signalled for him to stop he fled.

Judge Bruce Northwood said Hadwen reached speeds of up to 100kph, and drove on the wrong side of the road.

This included on an overbridge where oncoming traffic was unable to see him. “Disaster was averted only by good luck.” Police had to abandon their pursuit, but spotted Hadwen again a short time later.

He eventually stopped for police, reversing into their car.

When officers tried to arrest him, Hadwen resisted, and with clenched fists threatened to kill one.

A police dog was also used to subdue him, but it was somehow injured, and Hadwen required surgery for a bite from the canine.

Defence lawyer Tim Hesketh referred to pre-sentence reports that said Hadwen’s offending against police would “likely not have occurred” if he had managed his mental health.

He was not looking after himself for about “four to five” years, and had underlying issues from previous trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Northwood said he was interested to read Hadwen was intelligent and worked as a qualified engineer.

He had studied at a tertiary level and was self-employed.

A psychiatrist’s report also confirmed long-standing issues relating to early trauma. These included moving around as a child and developing an addiction to methamphetamine in his 20s.

But he also showed an “impressive work history” and, despite his tribulations, managed to secure himself a successful career.

His father was from the Middle East, and they were not in contact, but his mother was in court supporting her son.

She said Hadwen was doing better as he was now on medication, and focused on being a good father and positive influence.

For all of the offending, Hadwen was sentenced to eight months’ home detention and disqualified from driving for six months.

Northwood said jail would be a “poor” option for Hadwen who would do better with the right support.