A student whose home-made fireworks sparked a police armed offenders squad call-out in Whangarei on Friday night has been given the chance to avoid a conviction.
Stephen James Cantwell, 18, of Hamilton, appeared in the Whangarei District Court today on one charge of unlawful possession of explosives.
Police cordoned off an area
on Friday night after residents reported the sound of gunfire, which turned out to be home-made fireworks.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Barrie Iggo told the court that Cantwell had been accepted for the police diversion scheme, which allowed first-time offenders to avoid a criminal conviction in return activities such as donating to charity or apologising to victims.
Judge Arthur Tompkins remanded Cantwell to complete his diversion programme by August 27.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
