Anti-terrorist measures mean a Christchurch man who illegally accessed the police radio network will have to be sentenced in the High Court, after he pleaded guilty to two charges yesterday.
New legislation meant the charge could not be dealt with in Christchurch District Court where radio technician David
Norman Lee, 36, appeared before Judge Colin Doherty.
He was remanded on bail to be sentenced in the High Court on February 8.
Lee admitted accessing a computer system - the police network - without authority, and a charge of forgery.
Prosecutor Sergeant Lisa Goodson said Lee had a radio tuned to the police channel and used it to make a request for information about a vehicle when he was out driving on May 26. He used a police call sign.
When searched later, a police business card was found where it could be displayed prominently in his wallet. It had been made up from a real business card he had obtained.
It described him as a detective constable with the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
Defence lawyer Kerry Cook said Lee had been found out because his estranged wife had informed the police.
There was no suggestion he had used or ever intended to use the business card. He had made it and accessed the police network out of "intellectual curiosity".
After hearing the facts and submissions, Judge Doherty said he did not have jurisdiction to deal with the charge of accessing the network and sent both charges to the High Court.
- NZPA
