Disorderly behaviour

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 643, 2 July 1996, Page 7

Disorderly behaviour

Hinemoa Velder Renata, 21 , unemployed wool-handler of Raetihi, pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a disorderly manner likely to cause violence outside the

Ruapehu Hotel in Seddon Street, Raetihi, on the night of 10 May. Court heard how.defendant had been abusive to police after police had arrested her partner for assaulting her. Police had been called to the hotel following a report that fighting was occurring outside in Seddon Street where a large crowd had assembled. Defendant had then, in turn, been verbally abused by other members of the crowd and, responding to the abuse from one woman who was "picking on her," had tried to start a fight. After being warned by police to stop, she was arrested but could gi ve no explanation for her behaviour though she acknowledged she had been drinking. Her counsel, Mr Paul Brown, said the incident had started when she tried to explain that her partner had not assaulted her before he was arrested. Judge Toomey noted that alcohol seemed to have been a factor in her offending. She was convicted and sentenced to 20 hours community service.