Oamaru District Court

AN OAMARU man who sent vile text messages to his former partner and had earlier attempted to hit her with an axe was sentenced by a judge on Wednesday.

Christopher James Alexander (23), of Oamaru, appeared in the Oamaru District Court before Judge Joanna Maze, having earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of causing harm by posting a harmful digital communication, assault with a weapon and possession of an offensive weapon.

Alexander’s offending took place between June and August, about two months after the he split with his partner after a fiveyear relationship.

A police summary of facts said that on June 16 this year, he returned to his home to find the victim waiting for him.

After a heated argument, Alexander went inside and grabbed a knife, which he then threw at her as she fled for her safety.

Not content with using one weapon, he picked up a nearby axe and chased her with it while delivering a tirade of verbal abuse.

As the victim ran, Alexander swung at her with the weapon, but failed to connect.

However, he had no such trouble when he took to his own vehicle and smashed it several times.

The next day, Alexander became abusive again after his efforts to reconcile with the victim over the phone ended in failure.

When that call ended, he sent a series of text messages to the victim who, concerned for her safety, contacted police.

It was not until August the abuse ramped up again.

Between August 22 and 24 Alexander sent the woman five vile, profanityladen text messages, including one that started with the words ‘‘be scared I’m coming for U’’.

When spoken to by police, Alexander admitted sending the messages, but did not consider them threatening.

Judge Maze described the messages as ‘‘highly offensive’’, but accepted Alexander had shown genuine remorse and been ‘‘very proactive’’ in addressing his anger issues.

‘‘This was not to be anticipated and it was, to some extent, out of character.’’

She sentenced Alexander to nine months’ supervision and four months’ community detention and ordered the destruction of the axe and knife.

An application for a protection order was declined.

Arsonist’s apology praised

An Oamaru man’s decision to set another man’s car alight was made during a ‘‘flareup of anger’’, Judge Maze told the court.

Craig Russell Jenner (56), fisherman, of Oamaru, was sentenced to six months’ community detention and nine months’ supervision after being charged with arson earlier this year.

On February 10, Jenner became enraged after an alleged incident between his daughter and the victim.

Not content to settle the issue with words, Jenner smashed the driver’s side window of the man’s Mazda Atenza, valued at about $10,500, poured petrol on the driver’s seat and lit it.

The vehicle was destroyed by the fire.

Judge Maze said Jenner’s actions were fuelled by a loss of selfcontrol and poor decision making.

‘‘It was done in a flareup of anger.’’

However, before his sentencing Jenner engaged in a positive restorative justice meeting with the victim, for which he served credit, lawyer Michael de Buyzer said.

‘‘It appears some real effort has been made by this defendant to . . . extend apologies to him.’’

Judge Maze praised Jenner for making a $4500 reparation payment before the meeting and the effort he had put in, at least before the arson, to turn his life around.

‘‘You have made considerable strides since your early days.’’

Other convictions

● Paul Leslie Dale (48), of Oamaru, burglary, at Oamaru, March 23, six months’ community detention, 18 months’ intensive supervision, $1000 reparation.

● Kaylm Michael ArbuckleMcCreath (29), of Oamaru, driving while suspended, Eden St, September 28, disqualified six months, court costs $130.

● Karis Cassidy (22), of Oamaru, driving while suspended, Hayle St, July 11; driving while suspended, Industrial Pl, September 9, nine months’ supervision.

● Alex James Hall (27), of Oamaru, breach of community work, at Oamaru, fined $200.

● Nik David Chad Joseph (28), of Oamaru, drinkdriving, 584mcg, State Highway 1, at Oamaru, June 13, six months’ community detention, six months’ supervision, disqualified 28 days under alcohol interlock sentence.

● Jack Thomas Creba (20), of Oamaru, intentional damage of a window, at Oamaru, August 16, reparation $728.35.

● Jared Sven Haydon-Gliddon (32), dairy worker, of Oamaru, driving while disqualified, College St, September 12, 80 hours’ community work.