Man hits stepson with fence paling
A Picton man hit his stepson across the back of the head with a plank of wood for trying to help his mother.
In the Blenheim District Court last week Haki Hauaru Fraser, 35, admitted assaulting his stepson on January 23.
A police summary of facts said Fraser had been drinking during the day and came home to his family very intoxicated about 11.30pm.
He argued with his partner and his stepson intervened. Fraser pulled a paling from the fence and hit his stepson across the back of the head. The boy received bruising from the assault.
Fraser was convicted and remanded to February 29 for sentencing for restorative justice to be completed. Also in the court: Darryl Craig Green, 52, of Blenheim, admitted offensive behaviour and breaching a curfew on January 24, but denied breaching a protection order.
His lawyer Philip Watson said Green was ‘‘enticed into going to town by his friends’’ but ‘‘he realises the consequences now are rather serious’’.
Probation said Green should not be bailed to his home on Scott St because it was too close to the victim’s home and he had a history of breaching protection orders.
He was convicted and discharged, but remanded in custody on the remaining charge to February 22 for a case review hearing.
Jason Laupe Sekai, 24, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, admitted breaching community work and supervision on September 23. He had a large history of breaching community work and supervision in the past.
Sekai waived his right to a probation report assessing sentencing options so he could be sentenced on Tuesday. He was convicted and sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment.
Dennis Edward Bullen, 54, of Blenheim, appeared charged with possessing an offensive weapon and resisting police.
He did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail to February 23.
Daniel Keith McGrail, of Havelock, admitted drink-driving.
He was stopped by police and gave a blood alcohol reading of 160 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 50mg.
It was his third drink-driving conviction since 1991.
He was convicted and disqualified for 12 months and one day, and fined $1100.
Jessica Debbie Tai, of Picton, completed diversion for a charge of common assault and the charge was dismissed.
Luke William McCown, 20, of Koromiko, and Tainui Liddington, 17, of Blenheim, admitted common assault on January 14.
A police summary of facts said McCown and Liddington were on Queen St in Blenheim about 11.18pm on a park bench speaking to two young women. A third man approached the group and there was ‘‘an exchange of words’’.
The man attempted to Liddington but tripped over.
Both McCown and Liddington kicked and punched the man while he was on the ground for about two minutes before they allowed him to get up, the summary said.
McCown smashed the man’s glasses on the ground, and punched and kicked the man several more times.
The man had a black eye and a sore hand after the assault.
McCown’s lawyer Laurie Murdoch said he joined Liddington in assaulting the man because he wanted to help his friend. McCown said he did not kick the man, but accepted the charge of assault, Murdoch said.
He did not have a history of violence and ‘‘was not acting himself’’. He was due to become a father shortly.
Judge Tony Zohrab said it was a ‘‘nasty incident’’ and they went too far.
‘‘I’m always concerned when I hear allegations of kicking someone on the ground.’’
They were both convicted and sentenced to six months’ supervision, to be assessed for drug and alcohol addiction and to attend counselling as directed by a probation officer, and 140 hours’ community work each.
‘‘If you’re caught doing that again, the court would be looking very seriously at whether prison is the right option,’’ Zohrab said.
Aaron Timothy Barrett, of Blenheim, appeared charged with assault.
He did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail to February 22 for restorative justice to be explored.
Chantelle Marie Clearwater, 34, of Blenheim, admitted stealing a cellphone and a wallet on December 17.
A police summary of facts said she saw the owner leave the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the wallet on the counter of a store and took them. The wallet contained cash, stamps and bank cards.
She gave the cellphone to her son for Christmas and spent $10 from the wallet.
Clearwater told police she did it because she was struggling financially following a separation.
She helped police return the phone to its owner.
Clearwater was convicted and remanded to February 29 for restorative justice to be explored.
Carla Mary Lambert, 41, of Blenheim, appeared charged with disorderly behaviour. She did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail to February 22.
Paul William Kennett, completed diversion for assault and the charge was dismissed.
Matthew Joel Kennett, 24, a forestry worker of Blenheim, admitted assault on October 31. Police amended the summary of facts to omit the allegation that he put his hands around his girlfriend’s neck.
Kennett was remanded on bail to
kick February 29 for restorative justice to be explored.
Desmond Claude McCaskill, 35, a tattooist of Seddon, appeared charged with assault.
He did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail to February 22 with the conditions he abstain from alcohol and not offer violence to anybody.
Felicity Mary Cooze, 24, of Blenheim, admitted drink-driving on January 8.
She was stopped by police and gave a breath alcohol reading of 571 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mcg.
She was convicted and disqualified from driving for six months, and fined $525.
Christopher Thomas Dunn, 33, of Mayfield, admitted stealing a T-shirt from The Warehouse in Blenheim on December 16.
A police summary of facts said he put the T-shirt on under his own shirt in the changing room about 4.15pm. He was convicted and sentenced to 40 hours’ community work.
Kelly Raymond Smith, 39, an engineer of Nelson, admitted assaulting a woman on January 20.
A summary of facts said Smith had an argument with his ex-partner at her house in Okiwi Bay. She left the house, slipped on a step and fell to the ground.
Smith kicked the woman while wearing steel-capped boots.
The woman had a bruise on her upper left thigh from the assault.
A temporary protection order was issued preventing Smith from contacting the woman, and requiring him to participate in anger management education.
Smith was convicted and sentenced to 50 hours’ community work.
Nigel Riki Kumeroa, 34, a vineyard worker of Woodbourne, appeared charged with drink-driving for the third or subsequent time. He did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail to February 22.
Bradley John Stenhouse, 19, a chef of Witherlea, admitted drink-driving on December 9. He was stopped on Forest Park Dr and gave a breath alcohol reading of 807mcg.
‘‘Of concern is, despite the fact that you’re 19, it is your second conviction for drink-driving,’’ Judge Zohrab said.
Stenhouse was convicted and sentenced to six months’ supervision, 10 months’ disqualification from driving, and three months’ community detention.
Neitana-Kiharoa Filipo, 19, of Riversdale, appeared charged with unlawfully being in an enclosed yard. He did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail to February 29.
Samuel James Rangi, had a charge of assault with intent to injure dismissed.
Kolina Marie Filipo Boyce, 19, of Springlands, appeared charged with wilful damage and behaving threateningly. She did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail to February 22.