Ruatoria District Court News

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A man admitted two charges of assault with a weapon arising out of an incident in which he threatened his partner while brandishing a baseball bat and axe at her.Comments made by Ben Johnson Kahaki, 29, to the woman during the incident included that he “should beat the s*** out of you” and “axe your head in”.

Kahaki pleaded guilty to two charges of assault with a weapon. He was sentenced to nine months supervision and 120 hours community work.

Judge Warren Cathcart noted various mitigating factors, including Kahaki’s minimal previous criminal history.

The judge said Kahaki’s claims of wrongdoings by the complainant were unacceptable to the court.

There was no information to support those claims and it was easy in a small place like Ruatoria to cast bad light on the victim.

“But you’re the one who stands in the dock for these offences,” the judge told Kahaki.

The court heard Kahaki and the complainant had been together for several years and have children together.

A temporary protection order and parenting order were already in force.

A woman was urged to take advantage of an opportunity given by the court for her to address her methamphetamine addiction.Casey Jane Harrison admitted a charge of dealing methamphetamine and a breach of bail.

She was sentenced to 12 months intensive supervision and 140 hours community work.

Judge Cathcart said although unorthodox, the sentence was in the interests of Harrison’s children, one of who had high medical needs.

Harrison must use this opportunity to rid herself of her methamphetamine addiction.

Any further offending would see her and her children in a predicament.

The judge noted Harrison was arrested during a police undercover operation.

The amount of methamphetamine involved was less than five grams. Even so a tariff case, established imprisonment as the starting point for offending in that range.

Harrison had no prior convictions.

The judge accepted counsel Vicky Thorpe’s submissions that Harrison’s role in the offence was limited to sending a text for a co-accused, with who she had become acquainted due to her addiction.

Harrison had not handled any drugs or money in relation to the transaction.

She had good support now she and her children were living with her parents in Waipiro Bay.

For assaulting a child, which he admitted, Anthony Thomas Akonga Dell, 36, was further remanded on bail for sentence on March 7.The matter was referred to the restorative justice process.

Antonius Douglas White-Ferguson, 27, pleaded guilty to assaulting a person within his family, and two counts of wilful damage (of a vehicle and a phone).He was further remanded on bail for sentence in Gisborne District Court on April 26.

For receiving property valued at $20,000, which he admitted, Huna Houkamau McClutchie, was further remanded at large for sentence on March 7.

Swimming instructor Raymond Tamati Bishop, 43, admitted growing seven cannabis plants.Judge Cathcart accepted the cannabis was for Bishop’s personal use but noted he had a past conviction for possession of cannabis for supply.

Bishop was fined $650 (with court costs of $130).