Sandwich thrown at lawyer in court

By Melissa Nightingale melissa.nightingale@wanganuichronicle.co.nz

The judge's list in Whanganui was briefly adjourned today after a lawyer was pelted with an egg and cheese sandwich in the courtroom.

Richard Leith was appearing on behalf of Joshua Carnegie in the Whanganui District Court.
Mr Leith was requesting an extension for plea as Carnegie wanted to change lawyers.

As Mr Leith addressed judge Philip Crayton, Carnegie produced the sandwich from the balled up sweatshirt he was holding and lobbed it at Mr Leith from the dock.
The sandwich hit the lawyer in the side and bits flew across his desk, his chair and floor.

Despite being hit mid sentence, Mr Leith took only a brief pause before continuing his address with what one witness called "dignity".

Carnegie was dragged out of the courtroom by security and police, swearing and yelling.

He told his lawyer: "**** you Richard Leith you didn't even come and see me you ******* egg.

He was in court on charges of rape and indecent assault on a female under 16.

He was remanded in custody to August 2.

After the incident a Corrections officer told the judge: "Your honour I apologise for the sandwich. I should have been more onto it."