Shots fired from replica gun

A man who fired two blank shots from a replica pistol during an argument is being held in custody until May for sentencing.

Christchurch District Court Judge Alistair Garland ruled out a home detention sentence by declining to ask for the necessary report ahead of the sentencing of George Nehad Said, 32, on May 3.

Defence counsel Ruth Buddicom yesterday indicated a switch to a guilty plea. He has been remanded for sentence for unlawfully carrying an imitation firearm, two assaults with a weapon, breach of a protection order, possession of cannabis, and unlawful possession of ammunition. One of the assault charges states he used an electronic bail bracelet as a weapon.

The most serious incident took place on July 11, when Said was at an address where he had previously lived on Wainoni Rd. Police prosecutor Sergeant Iain Patton said Said went to the house to retrieve possessions, about four weeks after he had moved out.

There was a confrontation with a man at the address about property being held as security until missing property was returned to the resident.

Said threatened him and there was a scuffle. Said then went out to his car and came back with a replica pistol which he pointed at the victim while yelling.

He fired two blank rounds before the victim wrestled with Said to get the pistol off him. A third person arrived and tried to separate them, but while they were on the ground Said struck the victim three or four times on the head with the pistol.

He then drove off, leaving the victim with bruises, cuts, swelling to his head and a cut on his hand. The police want a court order to destroy the pistol.