Court news

Gisborne Courthouse. File picture by Rebecca Grunwell

FOR common assault arising out of a domestic disagreement, Arapeta John Te Rauna, 25 , was sentenced to six months supervision and ordered to pay court costs of $130.

Counsel Michael Lynch said Te Rauna admitted the offending, which was at the lower end of the scale.

It involved Te Rauna pushing and pulling the complainant – his partner — as she tried to walk away during an argument.

Police photographs showed the victim was left with scratches and some bruising to the underside of one of her arms.

Judge Haami Raumati noted Te Rauna had a prior relevant conviction for violence —– injuring with intent to injure in 2012 — but it did not involve this victim.

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Admitting he sent nuisance texts and emails to his former partner, Nicholas Rangi King, 43, pleaded guilty to a representative charge of breaching a protection order.

He was further remanded on bail for report and sentence on December 14.

The offending occurred in Wellington. Bail was varied to allow King to return there.

Counsel Michael Lynch said the offending was as a result of a relationship breakdown, for which Family Court proceedings were under way.

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A man claimed he had only tried methamphetamine for the first-time when an incident occurred that so concerned his family they called police.

Daniel Neil Goodson, 26, said he now knew the drug exacerbated his existing medical issues and that he did not want to use it again.

Goodson pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine utensils.

He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months.

Judge Raumati advised Goodson to go to his doctor for help rather than experiment any further with methamphetamine.

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John James Paton, 39, pleaded guilty to burglary (of a Kowhai St property) and was further remanded on bail for report and sentence on December 14. The matter was referred to restorative justice.

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Moko Adonijah Heeney, 31, admitted two breaches of parole conditions. He received 40 hours community work.

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Jacob Jessie Aupouri admitted a breach of parole conditions. He was convicted and discharged, the judge accepting there were unusual circumstances.

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Jhonee Owen Rita Ngamoki-Cooper pleaded guilty to receiving and was further remanded on bail until December 14 for a presentence report. The matter was referred to restorative justice.

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With a breath-alcohol level of 1201 micrograms, it was amazing a woman was able to walk to her car, let alone try to drive it, Judge Raumati remarked.

Lisa May Eyles, 41, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, the offence being a third or subsequent one. She was further remanded on bail for report and sentence on December 14.

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Adam James Masemann, 34, pleaded guilty to driving with excess breath-alcohol for the third or subsequent time. He was further remanded on bail for report and sentence on December 14.

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Richard Michael Brown, 43, admitted driving with excess breath-alcohol (549mcg) for the third or subsequent time. He was further remanded on bail for report and sentence on December 14.

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Alex James Pokai-Spooner, 24, admitted two counts of driving while suspended for the third or subsequent time and a breach of court bail, but pleaded not guilty to a charge of drink-driving.

The denied matter would be called at a case review hearing on November 10.

Counsel William Zhang said Spooner would defend the charge on the basis police failed to comply with a mandatory 10-minute waiting period.

The other matters would follow alongside.

Spooner was remanded at large.

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Anthony Regan Te Runa, 41, admitted driving while disqualified for the third or subsequent time, his third.

He was further remanded at large until December 14 to apply for community work in lieu of further disqualification.

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