Dunedin District Court
SENTENCES imposed by community magistrate Simon Heale in the Dunedin District Court yesterday were. —
Glen David Matthews (35), ACC recipient, of Taieri Beach, drinkdriving, 162mg, and careless driving (veered off left side of road into gravel verge, lost control, attempted to correct, drove across road and into power pole on opposite side, force of collision snapped the pole, an adjacent gate and fence also damaged, Matthews’ vehicle came to rest on its side, passengerside on ground; Matthews stated had consumed 67 craft beers, finished them about three hours earlier, said trying to get home to Taieri Mouth, thought speed about 50kmh when crash happened), Brighton Rd, about 6.35am, June 7, overall penalty reparation $1015.77 (damaged fence and gate) and $2500 (power pole), analyst’s fee $111.99, disqualified eight months. Counsel Deborah Henderson said Matthews had personal issues at the time, was on threeday bender, ‘‘has not drunk alcohol since’’. Magistrate noted Matthews now abstains from alcohol, was willing to attend restorative justice, had one previous drinkdrive conviction (in 2004).
Mark Logan Duffy (21), selfemployed spray contractor, of Clutha district, drinkdriving, 656mcg (driving Hilux, two passengers, all had been drinking at tavern; one passenger said he wanted out of the vehicle, opened door, jumped out, received multiple injuries, taken to hospital by ambulance; police were called, Duffy had excess breathalcohol level; in explanation stated he had drunk three big bottles of beer before driving his friends home), Frances St, Balclutha, about 9.30pm, August 18, fined $500, court costs $130, disqualified six months (from September 15 when current ban ends).
Etuale Tanupo Sue (37), beneficiary, of Balclutha, disqualified driving (said knew he was disqualified but was driving because he could not walk to a house viewing in the bad weather), Naish St, Balclutha, about 2.25pm, August 13, 50 hours’ community work (instead of further disqualification) but remains under earlier disqualification until January 9. Counsel Rhona Daysh said the weather had been ‘‘appalling . . . cold and wet’’.
Fenyx Tokorua Dean (24), of Dunedin, two graffiti charges (sprayed paint on brick wall in car park in Great King St, and tagged car park building, about 1.10am, July 10; walking with associate, spraypainted ‘‘T’’ on lamp post in George St, near St David St, about 2am, August 30), overall penalty reparation $300. Magistrate noted diversion was offered but, for reasons not specified, Dean decided not to pursue that option.
VickyLee Elizabeth Northover (33), of Dunedin, intentional damage (about 7pm, August 15, Northover went to a Melbourne St address, spoke to occupants asking to see someone she knew, occupants escorted her from property, asked her to leave; about 8.30pm, Northover returned, broke kitchen window, kicked in corrugated plastic lining deck area; in explanation said attempting to speak with the person she had asked to see, was adamant the person was at the address), six months’ supervision, reparation $150. Counsel Max Winders said Northover had gone to the wrong house, understood the occupants would have found her actions disturbing.
Raukawa Whenu Knight (42), beneficiary, intentional damage (walking in Tay St, Invercargill, heavily intoxicated, walked to front door of a house, smashed glass panel, occupant in lounge heard, found Knight outside with blood on his hands and head; in explanation Knight said he fell into the panel), about 10.30pm, July 23, fined $300, court costs $130, reparation $417.15. Public defender Karlena Lawrence said Knight was out drinking with a friend, the friend threw a lighter into a property, Knight ran after the lighter and tripped, he tried to pay for the damage on the night but was not making sense because he was intoxicated.
Sentenced by Judge Kevin Phillips was. —
Ryan Karl Tapsell (47), of Dunedin, possession of a firearm without a licence (police were advised Tapsell had a .22 rifle at his home, after checking the National Intelligence Application they discovered he did not have a firearms licence, a search of the home located the weapon along with 30 shotgun cartridges; defence counsel Jonathan Eaton QC said his client had purchased the weapon for hunting many years ago and had overlooked it, there was ‘‘nothing sinister’’ in it), May 24, sixmonth deferred sentence.