Man attacked vehicle after argument
A random encounter at a Nelson petrol station ended with a man ramming another man’s vehicle, then attacking it with a pole.
Ryan De Gamham appeared in the Nelson District Court via audio-visual link on Wednesday to be sentenced by Judge Joanne Reilly. He had previously pleaded guilty to multiple drug and firearms charges, as well as assault with intent to injure, and breaching protection orders.
In August last year, De Gamham was parked at the Mobil station on Ta¯hunanui Drive, waiting for a friend to leave the store. The victim entered the store and had an argument with De Gamham’s friend.
De Gamham and his friend followed the victim to where his car was parked, and tried to open a door and window to pull him out. When the man drove off, the pair threw rocks at his car.
De Gamham then drove to where the victim was parked on Ta¯hunanui Drive, and rammed the side of the man’s car with what must have been ‘‘significant’’ force, Judge Reilly said.
When the victim tried to smash his way out of his damaged vehicle, De Gamham grabbed a metal pole and drove it through the windscreen. He left when members of the public approached.
The victim suffered cuts to his hand, and bruises. The court heard that the attack had cost him his job and income, as well as the work vehicle that was his and his family’s main source of transportation. He was in counselling after being diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the attack. ‘‘He considered the incident to have ruined his career and livelihood,’’ the judge said.
De Gamham told police that his foot had become stuck on his car’s accelerator when he hit the victim’s vehicle.
De Gamham was also charged with breaching two protection orders, after he contacted his father and sister. The messages were abusive and had caused them extreme distress, with his father also being in poor health at the time.
Judge Reilly said De Gamham’s relatives were saddened and upset by his actions.
Police had found cannabis and shotgun rounds at De Gamham’s residence. When his car was searched, police found multiple firearms, including a pistol in the process of being modified. De Gamham claimed he needed the firearms to protect himself from people who were after him.
Defence lawyer John Sandston said De Gamham’s addiction to methamphetamine had contributed to his offending.
Judge Reilly sentenced De Gamham him to two years and four months’ imprisonment, and ordered the destruction of all firearms and ammunition seized by police.