OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 384, 30 April 1991, Page 9

OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

Kelly David Broughton,20, shearer of Lawrence (Otago) appeared on two charges resulting from a motor vehicle accident on SH8 on 10 February. Defendant pleaded guilty to one charge of driving while never having held a drivers licence and to one charge of causing bodily injury to Irene Schinkel and Laura Tupaea by driving a motor

vehicle while under the influence of drink. Court heard how defendant had lost control of a vehicle in which he and two female passengers had been travelling on SH8 when the car struck loose metal, skidded and hit a tree at about 4.30pm on 10 February. All three occupants, none of them wearing

safety belts, had been thrown out but none suffered serious injury In convicting and fining defendant $2,000 on the careless use/injury charge Judge Toomey said defendant was lucky not to have been facing a more serious charge. On the charge of driving without a driving licence, he was convicted and fined $300, court costs of $65 on each charge. He was disqualified from driving for 18 Imonths and ordered to pay the fines at the rate of $50 per week. Counsel; Brian Mason. * Breach of supervision Steven Charles Pui,21, unemployed of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching a sentence of supervision by failing to report to his probation officer on 28 February as he was required to do when he was sentenced on 10 May last year on three charges of burglary and two charges of theft. When asked for an explanation as to why he had not reported to his probation officer on 28 February and had not j done so until 4 April, defendant said he had j been up to Auckland to | attend a concert on that . date and had stayed up ! there until he retumed to i Raetihi in April. "Bully for you" said Judge Toomey as he convicted and fined the ! defendant $250, court costs $65. He was or- ! dered to pay the fine at the rate of $20 per week * and told to comply with the remaining sentence of supervision. Failed to report Rebecca Paewa Taiaroa, 20, solo parent of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to a breach of supervision by failing to report , to her probation officer as she was required to do 1 on 28 February. She had been sentenced last year to 12 months supervision on three charges of burglary and two charges of theft. Turnpage 11

OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

From page 9 When asked for an explanation as to why she had not reported to her probation officer on 28 February and had not done so until 4 April, she said her baby had been sick. In convicting and fining defendant $150, court costs $65, she was reminded that she must complete the remaining term of supervision (until May 1991) satisfactorily. She was ordered to pay the fine at a rate of $15 per fortnight. Head-on collision Jason Henry Ebbett,22, builder of Auckland, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle on SH49A on 31 August last year thereby causing bodily injury to Rachel Anne MacKenzie. Court heard how defendant had been travelling south towards Ohakune and as he turned off SH4 onto the Tohunga Road at about 9.30pm, he attempted to overtake a car which allegedly speeded up during the overtaking manoeuvre. Seeing a car approaching from Ohakune he attempted to avoid a head-on colli-

sion by moving even further to the right and off the road so as to allow the on-coming car to pass. between both vehicles. But the driver of the approaching car (Ms Rachel MacKenzie) swerved to her left and both vehicles collided head on. She suffered a broken collar-bone and severe bruising to her chest and legs. The defendant suffered a broken hand and a chipped shoulder. Both drivers had been wearing seat-belts or the injuries might have been much more serious. In convicting and fining defendant $1000, court costs $65, Judge Toomey said that while this was a first driving offence resulting in a court appearance (he had earlier been fined for speeding) the defendant was in that "gender and age bracket' which contributed to the"epidemic of bad driving" in New Zealand. Defendant was disqualified from driving for 12 months and told that $800 of the $1000 fine was to be paid to the victim who was still suffering from restricted movement of her arrn as the result of the broken collar-bone failing to

heal properly. Counsel; Brian Mason. Remanded without plea Thomas Treanor, 44, farmer of Pipiriki, was remanded without plea on a charge of receiving four shearing motor plants and a shearing grinder (to the total value of $2,600) to appear in the Ohakune District court on 17 May. Counsel; Brian Mason Attempted burglary Kerry Ruben, 20, painter, was convicted and fined $400, court costs $65 after pleading guilty to a charge of attempted burglary of the Powderhorn Ski Shop on 5 April. Court heard how defendant, after being asked to leave the next door Powderkeg tavern, had gone to the neighbouring premises, broken a window and attempted to get in in order to take a ski jacket. When the burglar alarm sounded, defendant had run off and later told police that he was drunk and admitted it was a silly thing to do. In addition to the $400 fine he was also ordered to make reparation of $157.68 for the damage caused.

Counsel; Brian Mason. Not guilty plea Brendan Young of Old Station Road, Ohakune, pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving while disqualified on 7 March. He was remanded on bail to appear for a defended hearing in the Ohakune District Court on 17 May. Pleas vacated A 45 -year old housewife vacated her earlier not-guilty pleas on two charges of theft and will appear for sentence in the Ohakune District Court on 17 May. Counsel Brian Mason. Unprovoked A 28 -year old Access trainee of Ohakune, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault committed on 26 March. Court heard how, in a long-standing family dispute, defendant had decided to take the law into her own hands by striking another family member on the back of the head, while they were both attending the Rangataua Sports day. Judge Toomey said the attack was unprovoked and warned the defendant that she must not take the law into her own hands in future. She was convicted and fined $300, court costs $65. Counsel;Paul Brown.