Restraining order granted
A Greymouth man has been forced to turn his house into a ‘‘fortress’’ after being harassed and abused by his neighbours for two years.
Tony Philpot was granted a two-year restraining order against his neighbours by Greymouth District Court Judge David Saunders on February 10.
Philpot told The Press the problems began after he moved to Hall St, Cobden, in 2018. One of the men living at the house, Connor Prendergast, attacked him with a knife in May 2019.
Philpot told police Prendergast deliberately crossed the road to confront him and tried to stab him in the head. Prendergast was later convicted of assault and sentenced to eight months of supervision in November 2019.
Philpot said that did not stop the problems. ‘‘They called me a nark and ever since I have had dramas ... and continuous abuse.’’
In an affidavit provided to the court, Philpot said Prendergast admitted stealing his moped and once threw a steel grate at him.
Philpot also said Connor and parents Michael and Leanne Prendergast yelled racist and defamatory abuse at him in front of his children.
He laid complaints with police when his car windscreen was smashed and his front door was kicked in, in July 2020.
However, police case summary reports say they could not determine who the offenders were because of a lack of evidence and witnesses.
Philpot told The Press he had complained to Ka¯ inga Ora, which owns the Prendergasts’ house. A letter from Ka¯ inga Ora in August 2020, seen by The Press, said the matter was for police and it would not be pursuing an eviction.
Philpot said he was told he could apply to the court for a restraining order. ‘‘It took six months to get the restraining order. I built a gate, I got security cameras. I have turned the place into a fortress.’’
Philpot said: ‘‘I moved down here from Nelson for a fresh start and it has been horrible.’’
Judge Saunders said Michael and Leanne Prendergast and their son, Connor, did not challenge the application.
He granted Philpot a two-year harassment order, which prevented anyone living at or visiting the Prendergasts’ house from entering Philpot’s driveway, communicating with anyone at Philpott’s house, or intimidating them. The order also says cars outside or in Philpot’s driveway are not to be tampered with and nothing is to be thrown at Philpot’s property.
‘‘If there is any further issues of intimidation or threatening behaviour do not take the law into your own hands. Notify the police,’’ Judge Saunders told Philpot.
Camera footage captured on February 13, three days after the restraining order was granted, showed Connor Prendergast yelling at Philpot: ‘‘Cops won’t stop me. I’m telling you now.
‘‘Cops won’t stop me, nor will your fence.’’ Philpot said he reported the incident to police.
Stuff asked Michael and Connor Prendergast if they wanted to tell their side of the story.
Michael Prendergast said ‘‘no I do not’’ before shutting the door.
Kainga Ora has been approached for comment.
‘‘I built a gate, I got security cameras. I have turned the place into a fortress.’’ Tony Philpot