Dunedin District Court
SENTENCES imposed in the Dunedin District Court yesterday were. —
Marina Joy Smith (47), beneficiary, of Dunedin, drinkdriving, careless driving (lost control of vehicle, crossed centre line, hit dirt bank, car rolled on to its side, Smith said she had been driving around for an hour as she was upset with the state of her life; Judge John Macdonald said the woman’s mood was driven by her mentalhealth issues and concerns about her children), 983mcg, 4.25am, July 20, Malvern St, six months’ supervision, nine months’ disqualification.
James Wilson (67), of Dunedin, drinkdriving, careless driving (veered left, hit parked car, admitted drinking; defence counsel James Donkin said his client
AAowed $8500 to the insurance company of the victim, Wilson had not consumed alcohol since the event, Judge Macdonald noted the defendant had a previous drinkdriving conviction in 1993), 980mcg, June 13, South Rd, six months’ supervision, fined $1000, court costs $130, nine months’ disqualification.
Kevin Aubrey Madden (48), truck driver, of Dunedin, assaulting a female (he and wife were staying at hotel in Cromwell, they argued, Madden pushed woman on to the bed, forcibly held her down so she had to listen to what he said, released her after 20 seconds, he told police he was tired of the victim nagging him; defence counsel David More said the pair were committed to their relationship and both had been
Adrinking before the incident), August 12, nine months’ supervision.
Heath Aaron Cunningham (43), employed, of Balclutha, Crimes Act assault (victim — 17yearold male family member — physically uninjured but shaken and scared), at defendant’s home, about 11pm, July 31, sentence deferred nine months, court costs $130. Counsel Angela Neugebauer said defendant had been out drinking, now having alcohol counselling; restorative justice ‘‘seems to have been particularly useful for everybody, including wider family’’, defendant reestablishing relationship with victim; incident ‘‘a oneoff, unlikely to happen again’’.
Jessie Bruce William Laing (22), plasterer, jointly with
AAanother male dealt with earlier, Crimes Act assault (victim male not known to either defendant), Hornby, about 3.35pm, February 10, six months’ supervision. Laing had no previous convictions, Judge Michael Crosbie noted.
Sienna Lee Metuakore (22), of Mosgiel, representative charge of dishonestly using Warehouse Christmas Club card (used card accidentally dropped by victim inside Hillside Rd Pak’N Save), The Warehouse South Dunedin, December 14 and 15 last year, sentence deferred nine months, reparation $338 (defendant’s halfshare). Counsel Jo Turner said another person charged received diversion; Metuakore unable to have diversion, ‘‘has
Amanaged to come up with reparation amount’’, was prepared undergo restorative justice but victim declined.
Tyson Raymond King (20), beneficiary, of Dunedin, intentional damage (King was at home at Community Care Trust, became angry, punched three holes in the wall, said he was angry but did not know why), July 10; Acting threateningly (King was agitated about impending court appearance, staff went to his room after hearing loud music and banging, defendant threw an oil heater out of the room, advanced on victims with clenched fists shouting obscenities, walked around the facility damaging property, King continued acting aggressively when police arrived; Judge
AMacdonald noted previous convictions for similar offending, payment for the damage was under arrangement), August 7, nine months’ deferred sentence. Temera WiparataDixon (21), of Dunedin, intentional damage (drinking at address with partner, became intoxicated, argued with partner, left, returned, kicked and punched at front door causing glass pane to smash, once inside threw batteries at window resulting it smashing), about 4am, August 22, six months’ supervision. Counsel Pete Tuala said WiparataDixon pleaded guilty at earliest opportunity, $580 reparation paid in full, ‘‘says what occurred an altercation that got out of hand, alcohol made things worse, it won’t happen again’’.
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