Ric Stevens is a Multimedia Journalist specialising in Open Justice reporting at Hawke's Bay Today.
I have worked in journalism for about 40 years, including as a political reporter at Parliament and in senior roles at a number of daily newspapers. In the course of my career I have met 10 prime ministers and covered topics as diverse as riots, earthquakes and murder trials, among many other things. I stepped aside from daily journalism for a while in 2016 to complete a master's degree and then found myself working for four years on the front line of the criminal justice system, as a probation officer. This has helped inform my current reporting on crime and justice. I was delighted to be able to come back to journalism as a member of NZME's Open Justice team in 2022.
Woman put in a kennel, suffers miscarriage in meth-fuelled family violence ordeal
The woman also suffered wounds to the bone caused by her partner, Joel Leef.
'I will never forgive you': Young mum's words to brother-in-law who abused her for years
The man has now been jailed and will be deported upon his release.
Whiff of cannabis during traffic stop leads to drugs convictions for young mum
The 22-year-old mother of three came to court prepared to go to prison.
'You are a monster': Abducted woman escapes after locking rapist out of his own car
He tricked her into getting into the car, drove her to a remote location and raped her.
'Bloody beating': Pair found guilty of Javon Aranui's manslaughter
The jury deliberated for almost three days in case where the victim had 16 head injuries.
'She is not going to prison': Woman avoids jail after cousin's fatal mattress fall from car roof
Judge: 'You clearly are a good person who has done something you'll regret.'
Murder accused claims cyclist threw first punch: 'We never intended for him to die'
Isaiah Buchanan says those involved in fatal fight exchanged handshakes afterwards.
'A bloody beating': Police find victim unsteady on his feet at scene of fatal attack
Javon Aranui was rushed to hospital in an ambulance but died the next day.
Fatally injured man lived long enough to tell police he was 'jumped'
Two people are on trial for Javon Aranui's murder in Hastings in 2023.
'Cheers for the memories': A rapist's text after motel violation of impaired woman
Jury found Rigby guilty of rape in one instance, but not guilty of other sexual charges.
Homeowner's 'worst nightmare': Woman's face cut, thought she would die in knifepoint burglary
The man heard the woman sold her car for $1000 and believed she'd have cash in the house.
'Have a good life': Grieving father forgives Ariki Rigby's killer
Murdered woman's family and supporters turn out in force for Napier court sentencing.
'Gone forever': Beloved rugby stalwart killed by careless driver
The judge said cars are 'deadly machines' and motorists need to drive safely.
‘Driven by the gang code’: Mobster smiles during jailing for assault, extortion and kidnapping
The 25yo was sentenced for seven years for crimes that including aggravated robbery.
Ill gotten gains? The case of the shoebox with $164,080 inside
Terry Weston said the cash was from work, ACC payouts, a bike sale and gambling.
Driver wanted after $50,000 heist and police chase tried to hide in a woodshed
Hendrix John Haerewa rammed two police cars before fleeing on foot.
Police search uncovers meth, $100,000 cash and an e-bike stolen in 2023
Armed officers stopped the alleged 'known offender' while driving in Tikokino on Friday.
Name suppression lifted for man accused of murdering Hastings father
Keith Pati had arrived in New Zealand in 2024 to find a future for his family.
'She deserved better': Ariki Rigby was murdered for wearing Mongrel Mob T-shirt
Family say they will make a 'whole lot of noise' at sentencing of murderer Jimmy Heremaia.
Murdered girl’s mother has died but her fight with killer over his $15k compo continues
Sam Te Hei was one of two men who murdered Colleen Burrows in 1987.
Electrocuted orchard worker warned of power lines moments before his death
'Yes, I know,' he responded when told to 'watch out for the wires'.
Migrant workers in visa scam each paid $16k for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery jobs that did not exist
The eight men arrived in New Zealand to find the jobs did not exist.
'I made her look like that:' Man who beat woman for a month boasts about her injuries
Ford Tutaki beat and tortured the woman for a month before help arrived.
Police pose as 13-year-old girl, lure sex offender to the library
He wanted to have sex with the fake girl even after she told him her age.
Four plead not guilty to murder of Boy Taylor in Napier CBD
Name suppression lifts for three of four defendants accused over homeless man's death.
Man admits involvement in arson of a car which was later found with woman's body in it
Ariki Rigby’s body was found in a car parked near Havelock North in September 2022.
‘Highly preventable:’ Man killed on highway warned not to hitchhike two hours earlier
Christopher Connell's last words to police before he died were that he 'loved life'.
'High public interest': Coroner prioritises hearings on 18 flood, cyclone deaths
The inquiry is likely to examine warnings, weather forecasts, landslide and flood risks.
Two teens among four charged with Napier murder
Street dweller Boy Taylor was known in the Napier CBD as friendly and sometimes talkative.
'We dug up graves': Kiwi lawyer on the cases that will always stay with him
Satchie Govender: 'They were having a barbecue while she was digging her own grave'.
Bullied prisoner slashes another inmate's face with razor from eye to chin
Reihana Cooper tied makeshift weapons to his hands before the attack.
'Please stay': Stabbing victim foresaw 'frenzied' knife attack
She was stabbed repeatedly in the face, upper torso and abdomen by a man in her home.
Man, 27, paid 13-year-old girl $100 for sex acts
He has been jailed again and will remain on the sex offender register for life.
'An engaged parent': Why drug-dealing artist's prison sentence was overturned for home detention
Dali Susanto's ex wanted him to have a “full and active role” in his children’s lives.
'Crime pays all day': The life and times of a self-proclaimed 'real gangsta' and now convicted rapist
'I just want to get out of here and go back to prison,' he once yelled at the judge.
'Two horrendous days of hell:' Girl's bravery leads to 15 years for kidnapper and rapist
Police say the victim showed 'courage and tenacity' in coming forward.
Police seize Hastings homes, cars and $68k in Louis Vuitton handbag linked to meth ring
Police say encrypted messages found indicated the distribution of meth worth $1.54m.
'Ugly and racist': Man's abusive TikTok posts after Salvation Army shop assault
Judge: 'Colourful is a polite description. It’s not colourful. It’s abusive.'
From art galleries to prison: Artist’s fall from grace after drugs conviction
Susanto took police to where magic mushrooms grew wild.
Logging firm in receivership ordered to pay $330k for worker's death - but can't afford a fine
Jake William Duncan died on a Hawke's Bay forestry site in 2021.
Three people are believed to have taken their own lives in wake of Cyclone Gabrielle
Coronial inquest: The deaths are among 18 linked to the Auckland floods and Gabrielle.
Young cannabis seller turns over $500,000 in sales in nine weeks
The 23-year-old appealed his sentence saying jail would hinder his ability to be a dad.
Inmates claim prison gang assault was 'utu', sentences should be reduced under Māori lore
Seven Black Power members attacked a Nomad inmate after 'an unwanted sexual advance'.
Man accused of murdering Hawke's Bay teenager Ariki Rigby loses suppression
Jimmy Heremaia is being held at his own request in the segregation unit of a prison.
'Pervasive deficits': Oranga Tamariki's practice under the microscope in baby's death
Oranga Tamariki staff incorrectly handled concerns reported to them, a coroner found.
Terrified woman jumped naked from upper-storey window to escape brutal attack
Part of the ordeal, carried out by other women, was filmed and posted on social media.
'He has lost his profession': Former doctor faces reality of anti-vaccine stance
Judge: Eye surgeon could have stopped practising but chose to try to bend the rules.
Fatal distraction: The Snapchatting truckie's countdown to tragedy
Caleb Baker was killed after distracted truck driver Sarah Schmidt ploughed into him.
Driver sent 45 Snapchat messages before fatally ploughing into young man's ute
'She should have seen the traffic ... what she did see for 14 seconds is her phone.'
'An ethical dilemma': 30-year medical career ended by Covid vaccine stance
Doctor tried to keep practising under Māori customary law.
Year-long wait for trial in Ariki Rigby murder case
Justice Karen Grau acknowledged emotions were 'very raw' for victim's family.
'Waste of a life': Heartbroken mum's warnings after son's preventable death
Speeding driver Raymond Tairua-Gray drowned after his unsafe car crashed into a creek.
Old photos and videos help convict 'sick and twisted' child rapist
Woman abused as little girl confronts abuser in court.
Duck-stomping prison inmate Eruera Peratiaki makes $1000 donation to the SPCA
Eruera Peratiaki threw apple at duck, chased it, kicked it and stomped on its head.
'Severe and chronic neglect:' Miniature horses were dehydrated and unable to walk properly
Two women who owned them are now banned from owning horses for five years.
Boy, 9, comes to father's aid in violent Mongrel Mob 'hit'
'This is a hit and it's come from the captain,' victim told before he was attacked.
Dad wanting to leave gang told it would cost him $20k - or his ute
The man was then assaulted before locking himself, his pregnant wife and kids in a room.
Police officer's kick to armed burglar's head deemed justified
The burglar had held the police dog's jaws shut with both hands.
Prominent artist with 'whimsical' energy was dealing in LSD and other drugs
Dali Susanton even took police to a place where magic mushrooms grow.
Teen driver in double fatal crash was 'very sensible and experienced' for his age
Joshua van Hooijdonk and Maja Sanders died in a crash on SH5, near Te Pōhue, in 2020.
Crown nets cannabis dealer, and now it's after her house
Police looked for 'buried money' but it meant the cash had been spent on renovations.
‘National disgrace’: NZ’s landmark Abuse in Care inquiry finds 200,000 harmed
The 3000-page report calls for apologies, redress and police investigations.
Former lauded Corrections staffer jailed for pressuring boyfriend's rape victim
Former Muldoon secretary and probation officer became involved with 'serious criminal'.
Man who scaled courtroom barrier to attack relative's murderer admits guilt
Arohaina Henare was stabbed to death by Moses Mohi Taua in 2022.
Hefty costs order leaves sour taste in mouth of anti-fluoridation group
Court case was in the public interest - campaigners says costs ruling 'really unfair'.
'Justice for a young victim:' Guilty verdicts in ram raid, kidnap and rape case
Police: 'She’s shown a tremendous amount of courage to come forward and make a complaint.'
Man accused of ram-raid, teen rape and kidnap claims it's all 'lies'
Crown: 'Does it make any sense that she should make up false allegations about him?'
Unregistered anti-vax doctor kept practising under 'Māori customary law'
A pharmacy contacted the Medical Council after receiving prescriptions from the doctor.
Man charged with ram-raid and rape calls victim's relative a 'compulsive liar'
The man says he's got an alibi: 'It would be impossible for me to commit these offences'.
Family cannabis business: Daughter was boss, mum did deliveries, dad kept the accounts
'Blood is thicker than common sense,' says defence lawyer.
'48-hour nightmare': Teen allegedly kidnapped, raped after $20k ATM heist
Now a father and son are on trial together in the High Court at Napier.
Police eavesdrop on private communications to bust meth ring
Bishop associated with Brydon Boyce, who had meth in his system at time of fatal crash.
Woman's crucial role as mule for a jailhouse drug ring
When Freedom Walker visited her partner in jail, she took meth and cannabis with her.
Ex-con supplied pistols to criminal underworld shortly before gun crime spiked
Police say they have intercepted numerous Alfa Carbines cut down to hand guns.
Youth crime: A teen robber’s two-year trail of $190k mayhem revealed
Teenagers netted $140,000 of watches, rings and medallions in 45-second raid.
School worker, charged with indecency, told to surrender passport
Man remanded on bail to appear in the Hastings court again on July 2.
Terrorised, battered woman was tied up and left on a bed - then she smelled smoke
Recidivist offender's chilling words: 'I can't let you go because you'll nark.'
Anti-fluoride group loses High Court bid to stop Hastings council adding fluoride to water
Fluoridation in Hastings water recommenced on April 8, 2024.
Retailer Crackerjack fined for selling children’s nightware that breached fire safety label rules
Prosecution followed inspection which found non-compliant sleepware in Napier store.