A Waverley man who drove through three fences to get away from an argument with his partner has been told to pay a charity, not reparations.
Huatahi Robert Tawhana, 26, appeared before Judge Gerard Lynch in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one charge of wilful damage.
The court heard on November 3 Tawhana was having an argument with his partner at their home and got into his car as he didn't want the argument to escalate further. Another vehicle was blocking the driveway so Tawhana drove through three fences on neighbouring properties to get around it and on to the road. Police prosecutor Sergeant Drew Morrison told the court Tawhana later apologised to his neighbours and helped them mend the fences.
He said $100 in reparations was sought which duty solicitor Raukawa Simon, who acted for Tawhana, took issue with.
"I question the need for reparations as Mr Tawhana fixed the fences with the farmer," she said.