OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 457, 13 October 1992, Page 11

OHAKUNE DISTRICT COURT

The following cases were heard by Judge Richard Watson in the Ohakune District Court last Thursday. Police Sergeant Bob Evans of Ohakune appeared for the prosecution. Several charges Darryle Wayne Pickery, 21, unemployed of Karioi, appeared on several charges to all of which he pleaded guilty. They included: threatening to kill, wilful damage, offensive behaviour, threatening language, careless use of a motor vehicle, driving with excess breath alcohol, wilful trespass (2) and failing to report for periodic detention.

Court heard how Pickery had entered the New World Supermarket on 19 September and put his arms around and attempted to kiss a female customer who rejected his advances and hurriedly left the premises. After attempting to embrace a female staff member in a similar fashion he was asked by the male manager, Mr Stephen Foster, to leave and after escorting him to the door, warned him not to retum. However, Pickery did return and the police were called after he threatened the manager. After arresting defendant for wilful trespass

and using threatening language, Constable Wayne Streeter placed him in the police patrol vehicle when Pickery said: 'Tm going to blow your brains out". Once in the police patrol vehicle Pickery kicked the windscreen out causing $635 damage while being taken under custody to Wanganui. In reading out details of the charges Police Sergeant Bob Evans said that Pickery had been drinking but was not intoxicatcd. In relation to the other charges Court heard how two weeks earlier, on 4 September Pickery had been driving at excessive

speed along Goldfinch Street towards the Junction at 10am when he struck a vehicle in front of him that had slowed to allow an animal to cross the road. The other vehicle was 'shunted' into a power pole causing bodily injury to one of Ihe occupants of the car (Natasha Maria Tawhai) and causing a blackout in Ohakune township. Pickery was convicted and remanded on bail to appear again on 19 November for a reparation report and probation officers report and sentence on all matters. Counsel: Paul Brown. First driving offence Stephen Hoani Brown,

21, bushman of Ohakune, was convicted and fined $650, court costs $95 when he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with an excess breath alcohol of 650/1. Court heard how the charge had arisen when the vehicle Brown had been driving was seen to be double-parked facing the wrong way (on the incorrect side of the road) outside the Dew Drop Inn in Clyde Street at night on 10 September. When questioned he admitted to being the driver and was breath tested. In passing sentence Judge Watson said that despite Brown' s familiarity with the Court system this was his first charge in relation to a driving

offence. In addition to the fine Brown was disqualified for a period of 6 months. Warrant for arrest Steven James Breed, 17, student of Auckland did not appear to answer a charge of driving dangerously in Goldfinch Street, Ohakune, on 26 August. A warrant for his arrest was issued. Adjourned Gene Henare, 18, unemployed of Raetihi, was to have defended a charge of converting a motor vehicle (a 1973 Holden valued at $6,000) on 18 July. Two of Henare's alleged associates have already pleaded guilty and been charged and sen-

tenced. Court heard that Henare, who had pleaded not guilty, intended to call two witnesses. But when it was learned that one of the witnesses had been hospitalised with a broken jaw two days earlier the case was adjourned to 19 November for a defended hearing. Case adjourn6d The case against Steven Val Naismith, 33, joiner of Wellington, of careless use of a motor vehicle in Clyde Street, Ohakune on 4 September, was adjourned for formal proof to 19 November. Bulletin advertising deadline is 5pm Fridays.