Two Masterton brothers may have received one of the shortest jail terms in New Zealand judicial history - clocking just 10 hours each in the cells for hindering police.
Rhys and Sean Richards were likely unaware they were in fact serving their sentence while in custody at Masterton Police Station following
their arrest in October.
The Richards brothers - Sean in shirt and tie and Rhys in a rugby jersey - appeared together in the dock at Masterton District Court yesterday to face one count each of the charge.
Justice Michael Behrens asked the pair if they had been held in custody for 10 hours, to which the bemused brothers replied in unison "yes".
"Fun was it?" Judge Behrens enquired.
"Not really," the synchronised siblings responded.
Judge Behrens then explained that police had withdrawn the charges, based on previous time served - the 10 hours spent in the police cells.
"It wouldn't do for you to be known as the Richards Boys around the place - they'll be sending round all their young constables to cut their teeth on you," Judge Behrens quipped.
The dropped charges related to an incident involving the two brothers and a group of associates who were pulled over on Paierau Road, north of Masterton in October.
Police checks revealed the driver was disqualified and arrangements were made to impound the car, at which point one of the group removed a wheel.
Police said Sean Richards then removed the keys from the car, at which point Rhys Richards said "I'd like to see you move the car without the keys."
Police said one of the other men challenged them to a fight and members of the group obstructed a tow truck that came to take the impounded car.
Neither brother had previously appeared before the courts - by way of explanation Rhys Richards later admitted to police that "he did go over the top a bit."
