Dunedin District Court
SENTENCES imposed by judges in the Dunedin District Court yesterday were. —
Jamie Anton Hunita van Hassell (40), unemployed, of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 835mcg (seen by police driving at speed, pulled over, van Hassell explained he had ‘‘given in to temptation’’ and knew he should not have been behind the wheel), 2.12am, April 25, South Rd; assault with intent to injure, driving while disqualified (van Hassell and his girlfriend began following car of her ex, stopped in Musselburgh, defendant left victim semiconscious on the roadside, went back and kicked him in the head), seven months’ home detention, 12 months’ disqualification, $500 reparation, court costs $130. Defendant sentenced by Judge Emma Smith.
Peter Douglas Dobson (57), freezing worker, of Balclutha, drinkdriving, 598mcg (alcohol check stop), Clyde St, Balclutha, about 2.30pm, September 29, fined $1500, disqualified 15 months. Judge Jonathan Krebs noted Dobson’s three previous drinkdrive convictions were in 1983, 1986 and 1989.
Danny Sonny Thomas Palmer (39), five charges of breaching protection order (by entering on to land occupied by protected person without the person’s consent, on two occasions; accosting the person; phoning and texting the protected person; behaving in way amounting to psychological abuse of the person), various dates between February 20 and May 15, 18 months’ intensive supervision. Public defender Meg Scally said Palmer abusing alcohol at the time, resorted to alcohol to avoid dealing with his issues, ‘‘in custody about five months now, has had time to reflect on his situation . . . now appreciates the victim’s point of view’’. Judge Krebs told Palmer ‘‘the victim says drained emotionally by this . . . has had enough of you . . . wants you to get help for your drinking’’; judge also said presentence material positive, told Palmer ‘‘it seems you’ve come to realise the demon drink is a demon for you’’.
Regan Keller Kennedy (20), unemployed, of Dunedin, breach of home detention (while serving home detention imposed for aggravated robbery defendant left Balclutha address; defence counsel Brian Kilkelly explained Kennedy had been invited to be a prospect for a gang and had knife held to his throat when he declined), June 6, nine months’ intensive supervision, 200 hours’ community work. Kennedy sentenced by Judge Smith.
Christopher Simon MacKechnie (26), using bank card for pecuniary advantage (Judge Michael Crosbie said MacKechnie used ‘‘pay wave’’ card that ended up in his hands to buy $1.99 soft drink), Timaru; breaching community work and breaching intensive supervision (in each case by failing to report to probation), Timaru, February 7, community work and intensive supervision cancelled, overall sentence new 200hour term community work (takes into account 90 hours owed on sentence cancelled and remission of about $2600 unpaid fines), new 12month term intensive supervision. Counsel Mr Kilkelly said MacKechnie’s life became chaotic while he was living in Timaru, since relocating to Dunedin his compliance with sentence had shown significant improvement.
Krystina Kaye Milligan (25), of Mosgiel, assault (Milligan was supposed to hand over child to mother of her former partner, dispute arose, punched victim in the face and scratched her cheek; defence counsel Brendan Stephenson said his client was under considerable stress because she had discovered she was pregnant again that day), June 4; two charges of failing to answer court bail, June 25 and July 9, nine months’ supervision. Milligan sentenced by Judge Krebs.
Mikayla Hazlett McLaughlan (22), of Dunedin, disorderly behaviour (went to an address with friends, took exception to what she thought the occupants of the home had been doing, yelled that they were ‘‘junkies’’), March 7, convicted and discharged, court costs $130. McLaughlan sentenced by Judge Smith.