Ohakune District Court

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 35, 11 February 1986, Page 4

Ohakune District Court

The first convictiort for driving with excess alcohol can be regarded as a mistake, the second is irresponsible and the third is uncaring and reckless, Judge Unwin told a man in the Ohakune District Court on Wednesday. James Tocher Third, 56, steel contractor, was being sentenced for his third excess alcohol conviction. His Honour said the law did not distinguish between first and third offences, which perhaps reflected a somewhat permissive attitude by the community. Third would be off the road for a long time unless he could convince the court that he was fit to have his licence back. Third was fined $1000 and disqualified for two years. His counsel was Paul Brown. ★ ★ ★ Rowan Densil Eves, 25, builder — careless use causing injury: In collision on 21 August when on wrong side of road and towing boat on trailer. Admitted falling asleep. All four occupants of the other car received fractures and other injuries. Counsel, Duncan Harvey, said Eves dropped off

momentarily as he approached the point where he intended to hand over to his brother. He had regained his correct side by the impact, but the other driver had been startled by seeing a car in front of him and, unfortunately, took the wrong action. It was not suggested that he was at fault — Eves accepted primary responsibility. Fined $350 and disqualified for 12 months. ★ ★ ★ Kenneth Kotahitanga Mareikura, 23, unemployed — assault with intent to injure: Domestic incident on 10 January led to kicking in of front door and assault on Constable Michael Martin. Mareikura threw a couch at the constable and simultaneously attacked him. His Honour commented that the assault charge was not the one he would have expected to have been laid. Mareikura will do 100 hours' community work (on top of the 100 hours imposed for another offence earlier). Fined $100 for damage to door and to pay costs of repair. To pay $16 for repairs to constable 's watch, which was damaged in the assault. ★ ★ ★ William Peter Pikari, 23, unemployed — assault on a female: In Guyton Street, Wanganui, on 6 November approached complainant and shortly afterwards began to punch her. He had consumed six bottles of beer. Said he did not like what the woman had been saying about him. Jailed for five months. Counsel: Paul Brown. To appear in Wanganui on February 17 to answer a charge of breaking and entering. ★ * ★ Raymond Te Awa Huriwaka, 29, driver — breaking and entering: Entered Ohakune Teachers' Hostel and took items including clothes, shoes and appliances.

Entered neighbouring house carrying knife used to attempt entry of locked room in hostel and fled when disturbed. Charged with being unlawfully in house. Convicted and remanded to 27 February for probation report and sentence. Bail of $500 and surety of $500. Counsel: Paul Brown. ★ ★ ★ Neil Toss Katene, 21, surfaceman — intentional damage (two charges): Threw stones at car and axe through window of house after quarrel at a drinking party. Admitted alcohol problem. Family background to argument. Paid for damage later. Fined $60 and to establish that all damage has been paid for. Counsel: Duncan Harvey. ★ ★ ★ Dennis Taihana Tuhirangi, 39, shearer — receiving: Radio telephone worth $600 stolen from Railways vehicle at Aramoho in August bought by Tuhirangi on 1 December. He knew it was stolen. Fined $450. Counsel: Duncan Harvey. ★ ★ ★ Daphne May Kairimu, 19, shed hand — cultivation of cannabis: Small plant found at her home on 7 January. Fined $200. ★ ★ ★ George Ashford Pekamu 19, unemployed, Auckland — wilfully broke beer bottle: Threw beer bottle into road at Ohakune on 9 January. Fined $240. Counsel: Duncan Harvey. ★ ★ ★ Michael Paul Beckett, 36, woodworker — assault: Defended. Became involved in fight with Johannus Schrier, proprietor of Rendezvous Dairy, after breaking bottle 'of milk on 26 August. Mr Schrier was knocked to the floor and punched in the head and chest. Witnesses mostly did not see the bottle drop, but had

no reason to believe it was deliberate. Mr Schrier ordered Beckett out rudely and a fight began. Mr Schrier lost his temper. It was a fight with both equally aggressive. Mrs Annette Shrier said Beckett did drop the bottle deliberately. Schrier then abused Beckett and ordered him out. Beckett then attacked Shrier. Beckett told the police the bottle was dropped accidentally and that Schrier attacked him and kept up the attack. Mr Duncan Harvey submitted that there was no case to answer. His Honour -said the confrontation had been a fight rather than an assault by one or the other. The charge was dismissed. ★ * ★ SENTENCINGS Richard Hohepa Wharehinga, 18, forest hand — three charges of breaking and entering (caravan, shop and diesel depot): Again remanded to 1 May for restitution to be determined and updated probation report. Counsel: Paul Brown. Peter Edward Froggatt, 22, forest hand — breaking and entering (six charges) and possession of a firearm (on 15 November, in Raetihi, with companion, two shots were fired into veterinary clinic). Froggatt said he had been drinking. Failed to report to probation officer. Remanded in custody to Wanganui District Court for probation report and sentence on 21 February. ★ ★ ★ Sergeant Neil Coker prosecuted. Costs were $35 or as stated.