Bogus story of car theft
A 17-year-old's attempt to report a stolen car was "flawed to say the least," according to Kerikeri police. The youth came to the station on Friday to report the overnight theft, but the car had already been found in a ditch at an orchard with keys, cellphone and fancy stereo still inside - a fairly good indication it had not been stolen. He was advised to revise his story and return to the station later.
Car impounded
A 25-year-old Kaikohe woman failed to heed that advice when she parked in a space reserved for disabled drivers at Kerikeri's Countdown supermarket. She was arrested and her car was impounded after enquiries revealed she was a banned driver. She told police she was driving an intoxicated friend home.
Over the limit
A Kaeo 16-year-old driver allegedly blew 260 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - the new limit for under-20-year-olds is zero. He was also in breach of bail conditions.
Briefcase stolen
A Kaeo man appeared in Kaikohe District Court charged with stealing a briefcase from a woman who had stopped at a transfer station to drop off some rubbish. The briefcase was later discarded, minus about $300 in cash and some personal items. The theft took place on April 16.
Clarification
A Northern Advocate story on Saturday carried a headline "Report says a key brain scan was not viewed by doctors". The headline was above a story about the death of Whangarei teenager Ben Brown, who died after his meningitis went undiagnosed at Whangarei Hospital. To clarify, Ben's CT scan was viewed by a doctor - a radiologist who discussed the findings verbally with another doctor, before a lumbar puncture was performed on Ben. While there were emergency department staff who did not view a subsequent report, it was initially reviewed by a radiologist and viewed by clinicians.