Port vandal put ships’ crews at risk
A 30-year-old man jeopardised ships coming into Timaru’s port when he ripped the control systems out of two navigation towers and smashed solar panels.
Malachi Joshua Drake caused more than $15,000 worth of damage to the towers during Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown in April 2020.
Drake, who had been in custody for the past 51⁄2 months, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment and released on time served when he appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in the Timaru District Court.
She said she did not impose reparation because it was not possible for him to pay.
Drake had pleaded guilty to endangering transport and breaching his conditions of release.
Crown prosecutor Anne-Marie McRae said Drake damaged one tower before climbing the second 10-15-metre-tall structure.
‘‘He smashed the solar panels and pulled the batteries and control equipment out of the casing, throwing them down onto the rocks below,’’ McRae said.
‘‘The lights are used by ship pilots to navigate safely into the harbour without hitting the rocks. Without the signal lights working, there is a greater risk of ships running aground, causing serious damage and putting the crew’s safety at risk.’’
When questioned by police, Drake stated he was drunk and having a psychosis episode at the time of the offending.
‘‘He said he has little memory of the incident, and doesn’t know why he felt he had to damage the equipment,’’ McRae said.
Judge Maze acknowledged Drake, who was taken into custody on October 30, was ‘‘deeply and genuinely remorseful’’.
‘‘You weren’t adhering to your anti-psychosis medication and treatment, and that is a problem when coupled with your alcohol and drug abuse.’’