'Considerable venom' used in 'animal like attack'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 567, 20 December 1994, Page 18

'Considerable venom' used in 'animal like attack'

The following cases were heard by Judge Richard Watson in the Ohakune District Court last Thursday. Police sergeants Bob Evans of Ohakune and Kahi Edwards of Taumarunui appeared for the prosecution. Philip Pui Maniapoto, 44, sickness beneficiary of Ohakune, was sentenced to 12-months imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges of assault with intent to injure on 25 August. Court heard details of the main assault charge in which the bar manager of the Ohakune Hotel was first head-butted then had his ear bitten before suffering injuries to his eye, cheek and bruising to his face and neck. The injuries to his ear required extensive stitching. The injuries necessitated twice-daily visits to the doctor over several weeks to have the dressings changed when some of the injuries became infected. Judge W atson said that it had been a serious "animallike attack" applied with "considerable venom" after Maniapoto had been asked by the complainant to leave the hotel. Defence counsel Gary Johnson said that his client had felt he had been singled out for attention bv the bar manager who had, allegedly, been looking for an excuse to expel him. When imposing the 12month jail sentence Judge Watson said that he had already warned violent offenders in the community that they would be dealt with severely (see last month's 'Court Report' intheBulletin ). Used broken bottle Peter Hepi, 40, shearer of Taumarunui, appeared (with a very bloodied face and bloodstained jeans) on a charge of assaulting Aterea Terry Cartwright

that morning (Thursday 15 December). He was remanded on bail to appear in the Taihape District Court on 24 January on condition that: he does not associate with the complainant; that he resides at a specified address; that he does not enter licensed premises or consume alcohol during the remand period. Duty solicitor: Paul Brown. Further remand Darrin Paul Sakey, 19, unemployed of Ohakune, was again remanded to appear on charges of receiving. He is alleged to have received from Rauhiri Martin and another a tandem-axle trailer valued at $1800 knowing that it had been stolen or dishonestly obtained. He is also alleged to have received from Rauhiri Martin 4 x 20 drums of weed spray, two Sidchrome socket sets, one Stihl weedeater and one large Bosch electric drill to the total value of $2850 on or about 17-20 October. Suspended sentence Paneta Condon, 42, unemployed of Raetihi, was given a six month prison sentence suspended for 12months plus 120-hours community service when he pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Hinewai Brider on 21 October Counsel: Paul Brown. Community service Kirshane Hiroti, 26, parttime shearer of Raetihi, was sentenced to 80-hours community service when he pleaded guilty to three charges involving cannabis (leaf, oil and utensils). Judge Watson agreed with defence counsel Gary Johnson that the quantities involved were very small, "at the lower end of the scale" and only for personal use.