News in brief: Lights out in Whangārei, teen in court and more Northland news

The traffic control box and pole hit by the vehicle. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Traffic lights out at busy intersection

Peak hour traffic was flowing smoothly again yesterday afternoon after the lights were out all day at the busy Walton and Dent St intersection in Whangarei. A vehicle slammed into one of the poles and control box just before 6.30am, causing extensive damage. Whangarei District Council expected the lights to be operating again at 4pm. The timeframe of 1pm given earlier in the day did not take into account the extent of computer testing required. Traffic control measures were in place all day and motorists advised to avoid the area. The male driver and single occupant of the car was uninjured in the crash.

School lockdown repercussions

A teenager whose alleged actions forced a Northland school into lockdown has appeared in court. No plea was taken when Joseph Williams, 18, of Kawakawa appeared before two Justices of the Peace in the Whangarei District Court yesterday morning. He is facing two charges of threatening to kill students at Kamo High School. The school was placed in lockdown after the alleged threats were made on Wednesday. Williams did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to re-appear on Monday.

Duo plead guilty

Two Northlanders initially charged with the murder of a gang member have pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful assembly. Walter Reid Ngaau, 55, and Adam Owen Dodd, 40, entered their pleas during a callover in the High Court at Whangarei yesterday. Dodd pleaded guilty to another charge of theft of a motor vehicle, a 2007 Holden Commodore valued at $10,000, on October 15, 2016. It was found at a Mower Rd property, north of Whangarei, and was included as part of the three-day forensic examination of the area. Adam Dodd's brother Nicky Bryan Dodd, 41, is still facing one charge of murder and additional charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of explosives. The murder charge is in relation to the death of Tribesmen gang member Henry "John Boy" Harris on October 18, 2016. Ngaau and Adam Dodd will re-appear for sentencing on July 12. Nicky Dodd's trial on the murder charge will start on September 17, 2018.