Home detention for threats to police

An Alexandra man who said he wanted police to end his life and ‘‘go out like the Napier siege’’ was sentenced to 10 months home detention in the Alexandra District Court yesterday for threatening to kill two police officers and using a phone maliciously.

Gary Keith Wright, 48, appeared before Judge Stephen Coyle for sentencing after a stand-off with police on November 30. Wright, while under the influence of alcohol, called 111 and said he was drunk, depressed and wanted psychological help, but threatened the responder that he would ‘‘deal to’’ any police officer with a hand gun, sword or spear if they approached him.

The armed offenders squad was dispatched from Dunedin, but Wright was arrested before they arrived.

Police searched the house, which was not Wright’s residence, and recovered a spear and a sword but they did not find firearms.

During sentencing, Wright told the judge having a police officer approach him with a Taser had ‘‘scared the life out of me’’.

‘‘That’s when I hit rock bottom for the first time in my life.’’

Wright said he was determined to begin a new life and not drink alcohol to deal with issues from his childhood.

The court was told Wright was adopted when he was young and was ‘‘harshly and spitefully’’ treated by his adoptive mother.

He was taken from his home to live with his biological mother, but was put into foster care after attacking his mother’s violent husband for sexually abusing other children. In care Wright suffered a lengthy period of sexual abuse.

Judge Coyle said Wright drank to medicate but commended him for ‘‘joining the dots’’ and realising the basis of his criminal history.

He said he had every intention of sending Wright to jail but believed he was prepared to turn his life around. He ordered the destruction of the spear and sword.