‘Gangster’ worker’s saltiest threats

When one farm worker believed his colleague to be dragging the chain, words got peppery and threats were made, a court heard.

Bowan David Whetu Henry pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving threateningly with a weapon when he appeared before Judge Chris Sygrove at the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday.

According to a summary of facts, Henry accused his second in charge of being a lazy worker after wrapping up milking on the morning of February 2.

The pair work a dairy farm together on Hurdon Rd in New Plymouth and were said to usually be good friends.

But following Henry’s complaint, the victim told him to leave and began to walk off himself.

Growing irate, the defendant, 36, followed the man and, removing his overalls from his shoulders and raising his fists, challenged him to a fight.

‘‘I’ll waste you,’’ Henry told the victim, who walked away and hopped on to a farm bike.

Again, the defendant followed and stood next to the bike while holding a knife in his hand in a threatening manner, the summary said.

‘‘He continued to yell and threaten the victim, stating that he was a gangster.’’

Fearful Henry might use the knife, the man rode off.

Defence lawyer Nathan Bourke said his client wanted to wrap the matter up as quick as possible and sought a conviction and discharge.

He said Henry had been using the knife to cut bales and it had been nothing more than a verbal dispute.

‘‘Words were exchanged each way - no harm came of it, no violence, nothing of that sort.

‘‘I grew up on a farm...salty language,’’ Bourke offered.

Sygrove, who was also raised on a farm, agreed.

He convicted Henry on the matter and handed down a good behaviour bond for 12 months.