Gun pointed at head, court told

Tawhia Hughes.

A sawn-off shotgun and a car were used as weapons to terrorise two people at a Whangarei social gathering while children were present, a jury has heard.

Tawhia Hughes, 25, and Amber Waerehu, 25, deny taking part in the alleged offending, and a week-long trial started in Whangarei District Court yesterday.

Hughes is facing charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a firearm, possession of explosives, use of a firearm, threatening to kill and wounding to cause grievous bodily harm. Waerehu is charged with assault with a weapon (a car).

Crown prosecutor Catherine Anderson said that on July 3, 2012, an occupant of a house on Hodgson St in Onerahi became aware someone was brandishing a sawn-off shotgun outside the house, and Hughes approached.

A social gathering was being held when Hughes pointed at the house and made threats to kill people there, Ms Anderson said.

The jury heard that Hughes pointed the gun at the man's head and pulled the trigger but there were no live rounds. Ms Anderson said the man wrapped Hughes in a bear hug to prevent violence but the accused had managed to free himself before striking the man on the head a number of times.

Outside the house, Hughes had driven a car at speed and hit a woman on her legs, knocking her over, Ms Anderson said.

Waerehu had also got behind the wheel and hit the woman with the car, knocking her down.

Hughes and Waerehu were among four people who arrived at the house in a car.

The vehicle was later recovered from outside Kensington Hospital. Police said they found a bag under a seat with Waerehu's name on it, two shotgun rounds and Hughes' community services card.

Ms Anderson said records of text messages from Waerehu's phone showed discussion about arms and ammunition. When spoken to by police, Hughes denied involvement and Waerehu said she had been at a mate's, Ms Anderson said.

The trial was adjourned yesterday after the first Crown witness did not turn up to give evidence.