Parakoti Engu has admitted threatening a volunteer fishery officer with a bait knife during a compliance check. Photo / Supplied
Parakoti Engu has admitted threatening a volunteer fishery officer with a bait knife during a compliance check. Photo / Supplied
A 75-year-old volunteer fishery officer was threatened by a knife-wielding man, who said: "I'll murder you".
The seafood gatherer has pleaded guilty to downgraded charges relating to threatening the Northland volunteer fishery officer with a bait knife late last year.
Parakoti Engu has been sentenced in the Whangārei District Courtto 40 hours' community work on charges of behaving threateningly and possession of a knife in a public place.
The 46-year-old from Dargaville was initially charged with threatening to kill and possessing an offensive weapon, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The police summary of facts said Engu was with several people collecting shellfish and other seafood in Taiharuru Estuary at Whangārei Heads on December 6 last year.
When the officer said some of the catch might be seized, Engu said to him: "I'll murder you," while still holding the knife and jabbing it in the officer's direction.
The officers completed their inspection and left, satisfied the group's catch was compliant.
Police were notified of Engu's behaviour.
The following day, Engu was stopped by police on Riverside Dr and spoken to about his behaviour the previous day.
The victim was present and, on seeing him, Engu said: "You are done. I will get someone to take you out."