Oamaru District Court
THE actions of a Kakanui man who left another man requiring hospital treatment after an altercation over a group of dogs were ‘‘wholly disproportionate’’ to the issue, Judge Joanna Maze told the Oamaru District Court on Wednesday.
Murray William Gutsell (67) appeared for sentencing on a charge of injury that, if it had caused death, would have been manslaughter.
On December 8, Gutsell was camping near the victim, who was with his wife, other family members and some associates, at Wildlife Reserve Camping Ground.
With them were several dogs. Gutsell became angry when he saw one of the dogs, who were not on leads, defecate.
He approached the victim’s wife and told her the dogs should be on leads, before he walked up to the victim and, without warning, headbutted him once in the face.
The victim suffered bruising, swelling and an arterial bleed to the mouth that required 13 stitches.
When spoken to by police, Gutsell said he did not regret headbutting the man. He was sentenced to six months’ supervision and three months’ community detention, and ordered to pay $386.10 in reparation and $500 for emotional harm.
Recidivist drinkdriver jailed
A 39yearold Oamaru man was jailed for nine months as a result of his eighth drinkdriving conviction.
Appearing before Judge Joanna Maze at the Oamaru District Court earlier this week, Harry Shannon Dennis McCormack had earlier pleaded guilty to a single charge of drinkdriving.
A police summary of facts said that at 10.35pm on January 7, McCormack, who at the time held a zeroalcohol driver’s licence, was stopped by police in Hull St and ordered to undergo a breathalcohol test.
He recorded a reading of 606mcg.
Judge Joanna Maze said she had no option but to imprison McCormack, as she was not satisfied home detention was appropriate in his case.
He was also disqualified from driving indefinitely.
Other convictions
Wayne John Paterson (44), driver, of Oamaru, driving while suspended, State Highway 1, March 7, fined $250, court costs $130, disqualified six months.
Anthony Cotton (25), of Oamaru, careless use of a vehicle causing injury, Perth St, July 1; driving while disqualified, Perth St, July 1, four months community detention, disqualified 12 months, $3085.99 reparation.
Shane Wiremu Gardner (39), of Oamaru, drinkdriving, 1105mcg, West View Dr, December 10, six months’ community detention, nine months’ supervision, disqualified 15 months.
Kiowa Foulsham (21), of Papakaio, supply of a class B controlled drug (methylphenidate), at Oamaru, March 28, 2017 to November 11, 2017, six months’ home detention.
Nellya Chelise McDowell (24), of Oamaru, drinkdriving, 597mcg, Warwick St, Blenheim, March 1, fined $600, court costs $130, disqualified six months.
Richard Ross Kelly (24), butcher, of Oamaru, driving while disqualified, State Highway 1, March 10, fined $500, court costs $130, disqualified six months.