Threat offender told to consider effect

A ‘‘FAMILY man’’ was told to consider how his latest round of offending affected the victim, who perhaps had a family of his own.

Counsel Deborah Henderson told the Dunedin District Court that Shaun Matthew Cavanagh (43) had not seen his children in months after being taken into custody in October.

Cavanagh was arrested on charges of threatening behaviour, theft of a Hertz rental ute, receiving a stolen trailer, and obstructing a police officer.

The victim of the threatening behaviour was the owner of a Dunedin trucking company.

Cavanagh had only been on the first day of his trial at the company when his employment was terminated.

Although the victim paid Cavanagh the wages he was owed for that day, he became confrontational and agitated, believing he was owed more.

Between December 7 and 18, Cavanagh sent the man several messages outlining he wanted more money, and that if he was not paid ‘‘harm would come to [the victim]’’.

On one occasion, about 2am, Cavanagh went to the man’s house and again demanded more money, before leaving.

Judge Jim Large said he acknowledged Cavanagh was a family man with two children who he had not seen in some time; however, he ‘‘[did not] doubt that the person who received [Cavanagh’s] threats [was] a family man as well’’.

‘‘The impact of your actions on him could well have flowed into the family dynamics’’.

This offending had also occurred while Cavanagh was subject to a sentence of community detention and supervision.

This was an aggravating factor to Judge Large, who said the defendant was ‘‘snubbing [his] nose at the court’s direction’’.

If he were to reoffend, prison would be the only place he could go.

Cavanagh was sentenced to two months’ community detention and 12 months’ intensive supervision.

He was also ordered to pay $509.91 reparation to Hertz.