Houdini sentencing delayed
The Whangarei man dubbed "Houdini" for his numerous escapes from authorities, including from the new Mt Eden Corrections Facility, has had his sentencing for a raft of offences put off until September. Aaron Stephen Forden, 30, was to have been sentenced in Auckland District Court yesterday on a raft of charges, but the matter was adjourned to September 12. Forden will remain in custody until the sentencing.
Alcohol-fuelled rage
A Whangarei man who drove through a shed after an argument with a neighbour has been charged with drink driving. Acting Sergeant Bryan Cross, of Whangarei police, said officers were called to Jack St, Otangarei, just after 12am yesterday after reports of a dispute. A man at a Jack St home had been arguing with his neighbour then drove off, through a shed on the property. The motorist, aged 28, was found to have a reading of 892 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, more than double the 400mcg limit.
Bail denied for third time
It was third time unlucky for a Whangarei man facing a charge of burglary when he was again denied bail. Rameka Hape, 30, was twice denied bail by the Whangarei District Court earlier this year and he appealed against those decisions in the High Court. Hape allegedly broke into a property in Tutukaka in late January and stole $15,000 worth of items.