Hives destroyed by 'zig zag' driver

A driver who destroyed nearly 80 beehives trying to zig zag between them near Wakefield has been ordered to pay more than $11,000 reparation.

Justin Yelvie Westrupp, 18, of Lud Valley, admitted a charge of intentional damage when he appeared in Nelson District Court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Rex Morris said Westrupp was driving in a private forestry block in Pigeon Valley which contained the hives.

He drove into the rows, knocking 79 hives over and destroying the entire operation of a husband and wife business. The hives were their main source of income.

The couple wanted reparation for the cost of repairing and replacing the hives and the loss of income, which totalled $11,170.

Defence counsel Mark Dollimore said Westrupp had been spurred on by other people in the vehicle at the time and had unsuccessfully tried to "zig-zag" through the hives.

Judge Barry Morris convicted Westrupp and ordered him to pay reparation, and to come up for sentencing if called upon within the next 12 months.

- NZPA