Dunedin District Court
SENTENCES imposed by Judge Kevin Phillips in the Dunedin District Court yesterday were. —
A Racheal Gray (45), two charges of obtaining by deception (hired rental car in Mount Eden for two periods, provided false driver’s licence details; reparation $3263.92 sought for hire not paid), between April 17 and July 1 last year; also last year, at Auckland, single charges each of theft and causing loss by deception (sold man known to her a television for $420, the man transferred the money into her account but never received the television, August 2; offered to assist the man purchase accommodation and flights through a travel agent, sent fictitious email detailing costs resulting in the man paying two amounts — total $2215 — into her bank account before he discovered the agent did not exist and there was no flight or accommodation booked on his behalf), between August 6 and 8, overall sentence 17 months’ jail (six months’ release conditions); no reparation ordered, judge stating he does not make ‘‘empty’’ reparation orders. Crown counsel Craig Power said Gray maintained she had paid both victims; ‘‘in my submission that’s a lie . . . inquiries with police show no payments have been made’’. Judge said Gray previously jailed for dishonesty, ‘‘an established liar . . . a woman with a footprint of serious dishonesty’’.
A Justin Philip Witchall (27), of Dunedin, threatening to kill (victim sister, Witchall confronted her in living room, threatened to slit her throat and punch her lights out), about 8.30pm, May 20; threatening to kill (victim former partner, Witchall yelled at and verbally abused her, tried to get her mobile phone from her; put his hand around her throat, did not restrict her breathing, but tight enough she was unable to get away), outside Broadway Medical Centre, about 2pm, August 9; failing to attend court, August 9; remission $4055 unpaid fines, overall sentence four months’ home detention (six months’ post detention conditions). Judge noted Witchall’s mental health at time affected his behaviour, now has mental health support; also noted Witchall’s ‘‘lengthy history’’.
A Phillip John Hasler (38), truck driver, of Dunedin, assaulting 10yearold boy, and breaching protection order by physically abusing the boy (victim family member and, with another boy, in Hasler’s care on the day; victim washing dishes, defendant asked him to clean a mouldy cup, victim put it to one side with clean dishes, did not clean it before finishing his chores, Hasler did not accept victim ‘‘forgot’’, hit him on bottom with open palm, victim then kicked out at him, Hasler reacted by hitting victim with open palm on left hip/back area causing him to cry out in pain; smack resulted in victim having handshaped bruise to left hip area), May 19, 200 hours’ community work, nine months’ supervision. Public defender Meg Scally said Hasler’s failure to take his medication on the day could have contributed to his overreaction, he was instantly regretful and apologised to the child immediately. Judge Phillips said Hasler’s history showed a propensity for violence, the offence a major breach of trust.
A Courtney Paige Findlater (20), of Dunedin, five charges obtaining by deception (through
Facebook Marketplace sold for $100 a laptop computer without owning or possessing any such computer, sold an HP notebook laptop for $250 the same way, also made three sales of a Macbook Pro for which she received $200, $700 and $600; all of the money paid into bank, account details provided by her, none of the items supplied), between February 23 and April 4, overall sentence 200 hours’ community work, 12 months’ supervision, reparation $1850 (at $20 a week). Public defender Alan de Jager said Findlater had already paid $100 reparation to one victim. Judge said Findlater previously convicted of dishonesty, ‘‘any further offending of this kind . . . no option but to send you to prison’’.
A Natasha Jayne Stephens (43), of Dunedin, shoplifting (put about $600 of goods including sheet sets, knives, a toilet bag into her bag in clear view of CCTV cameras, at Briscoes, about 11.30am, February 27, then, while unknown associate distracted counter staff, left the store without paying), six months’ supervision, reparation $606.40. Judge noted Stephens previously convicted of dishonesty.