‘Petrol pump abuse’ lands man unusual bail condition
Pain at the pump usually refers to the wallet area and the rising cost of fuel, but not at Hamilton District Court yesterday.
That’s where Jesse Street appeared facing one charge of wilful damage – involving what Judge Arthur Tompkins referred to as “petrol pump abuse”.
Street’s lawyer said the charges “relate to some damage to a fuel pump” and he requested a remand without plea as his client was “going to get some money to cover that damage”.
He said Street was overcome with an “anger management issue when his card was declined”.
“He became angry and caused the damage.”
Judge Tompkins said Street “must have used considerable force ... Petrol pumps are robust, shall we say?”
The judge said the offending took place on February 19 at Te Awamutu, where Street “became angry”.
“[He] punched the pump screen very hard with a closed fist, and also punched a small promo sign on the pump.”
In total, Street caused just over $600 damage during what the judge called “petrol pump abuse”.
He remanded Street without plea ahead of an appearance at Te Awamutu District Court on April 23.
Judge Tompkins also requested a special addition to Street’s bail requirements, not to commit violence towards a person, property, “or violence towards a petrol pump”.
Gemma Storer appeared facing charges of procuring and possessing cannabis, possession of a pipe, refusing to give a blood sample and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Her lawyer requested a current sentence date be vacated to allow her to finalise participation in a young adult intervention plan, which Judge Tompkins consented to.
He said her bail would continue ahead of a July 2 sentence date, and entered her guilty pleas but entered no convictions.
Ananhera Herewini landed in the dock thanks to charges of assault on a person in a family relationship, assaulting police and failure to answer District Court bail.
His lawyer told the court no pleas had been entered yet, and Judge Tompkins remanded him without plea ahead of his next appearance on April 24.
Zion Coker, meanwhile, appeared to seek bail. He is facing one charge of committing burglary with a weapon.
His lawyer said he would plead not guilty, requested a jury trial and also asked the court to stand the bail application down to enable further instructions to be taken, which Judge Tompkins consented to.
One charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm landed Dalton Taylor in court, where his lawyer asked for a remand without plea ahead of a June 24 reappearance – a request that was granted.
Maitu Karena, via her lawyer, pleaded not guilty to two charges of contravening a protection order, and one charge of threatens to kill/do grievous bodily harm.
A judge-alone trial was requested, and she is set to reappear on July 30.
Guilty pleas were entered on behalf of Turanga Taylor, who appeared via audiovisual link, to charges of unlawfully possessing a pistol, unlawfully carrying a firearm, possession of methamphetamine utensils and receiving property over $1000.
Judge Tompkins convicted Taylor and remanded him in custody ahead of a sentencing date of May 6. He also asked for a restorative justice meeting “to be investigated”.