Debt blamed for Wairarapa shooting

IN THE DOCK: Claire Hanify, 43, has been defending charges of assaulting Bevan Richards at Featherston with an air gun

"Fuelled" on alcohol and "fuming" about an unpaid debt, Claire Hanify allegedly shot Bevan Richards in the neck with a gas-powered air pistol.

The 43-year-old denied the charge at a defended hearing held before Judge Tony Walsh in the Masterton District Court yesterday.

Police allege on June 14, Hanify went to Featherston looking for Mr Richards to recover a $6000 debt and once she found out where he lived she went demanding the money and shot him during a tussle.

She has previously pleaded guilty to wilful damage after smashing a window at the house on the same night.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jodi Lawrence told the court Hanify went to the Featherston Police Station about 3pm on June 14 with a box telling an officer she needed to return property to Mr Richards but left with it when they wouldn't give out his address.

Later in the evening Hanify went to a Hart St address, confronting Mr Richards about the debt owed and she was refused entry, Ms Lawrence said.

After the door was shut in her face, Hanify punched a window beside the door, smashing it, the court heard.

A fight then followed between Hanify and Mr Richards which spilled to the front yard where it is alleged she "fired a projectile" from a gas-powered pistol into the neck and arm area of the victim, she said.

In evidence, Mr Richards said Hanify was extremely angry when she turned up out of the blue demanding money.

"I told her to go away ... she was pissed and angry and drunk ... she was ranting," he said.

Refusing to leave, he said he tried to scare her away by yelling at her as his flatmate called police.

Chasing her around the side of the house, Mr Richards said Hanify shot him with the pistol.

"We had a tussle. She shot me in the head with an air pistol. "We had a bit of a struggle ... I threw the gun in the front door."

The pellet is now lodged in his throat and doctors will be removing it in three weeks, the court heard.

In cross examination, defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt suggested to Mr Richards he or someone else had shot him, not Hanify.

"You have covered your own arse," Mr Blathwayt said to Mr Richards.

But Mr Richards was adamant Hanify was the shooter.

"It's not my air gun ... I have not been charged with assault."

His flatmates, Douglas Evans and Kirsty Williams gave similar evidence.

It was while on the phone to 111, the pair realised there was a gun involved, both their evidence stated.

Ms Williams said the incident terrified her.

"There was a lot of yelling and screaming ... Claire was angry. She wasn't listening ... I was a bit frightened about what was happening."

Featherston Constable Paul Carroll told the court about Hanify arriving at the station earlier in the day and how she ran in front of his car later in the night as he went to investigate the incident in Hart St.

During her arrest, Hanify was "highly agitated".

Judge Walsh has reserved his decision on the case until this morning.