Reveller sentenced over threat

A Whangarei man who threatened a noise control officer who turned up at a birthday party to tell the hosts to turn down the racket has been sentenced to community work.

Eran David McFadyen, 30, appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court last week to plead guilty to a charge of using threatening language.

McFadyen was at a birthday party on Memorial Drive on May 19 when a noise control officer turned up after complaints about the din coming from the property. Police were also called.

The noise control officer was threatened by McFadyen, who was arrested by police.

Defence lawyer Wiremu Puriri said McFadyen acknowledged it was very bad behaviour and alcohol had a role to play.

He said McFadyen had a good job, expressed remorse for his actions and pleaded guilty as soon as possible.

Judge Duncan Harvey said noise control officers and police did a very difficult job and unfortunately found themselves in "this type of situation" frequently.

"It's simply not appropriate to deal with them in that way," Judge Harvey said.

He sentenced McFadyen to 50 hours' community work.