Farmhand fined for fleeing police

COURT: A South African rugby import who fled from Taihape police after being stopped was fined in the Taihape District Court yesterday.
Jaco Barendse, 24, farmhand, of Taihape, admitted a charge of failing to remain stopped on Robin Street, Taihape on February 26.
Counsel Paul Brown said Barendse ran off because he had drunk two pints of beer at a pub and didn't hold a New Zealand driver's licence.
Although Barendse hid behind a tree, evading police, he later had to go to the station to collect the keys he left in the car.
Barendse was convicted and fined $400, with court costs of $130.
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A Turangi man who just wanted to go home was convicted for driving while disqualified.
Michael Rangionoa Biddle, 45, employed, admitted the charge for driving on State Highway 1, Desert Rd, on January 23. Biddle told Judge Les Atkins QC he drove because "I just needed to get back to my home."
Biddle was convicted and sentenced to 50 hours' community work and disqualified from driving for six months.
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A Taihape shedhand was convicted of her fifth drink driving conviction.
Sharlene-Marie Titi, 40, admitted driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 677mcg on February 15 on State Highway 1, Taihape.
Counsel Paul Brown said Titi was surprised by the level, but admitted she hadn't had a lot to eat during the day which may have been a factor.
Judge Atkins gave Titi a final warning and told her next time she appeared on a drink driving charge she would be going to prison.
Titi was convicted and fined $750, with court costs of $130. She was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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A Mangaweka man who defrauded WINZ of more than $1300 was sentenced to community work.
Edward Kenneth Westbury, 55, beneficiary, admitted a charge of wilfully omitting to advise WINZ a change in work circumstances between October 7, 2005 and November 27, 2005.
Counsel Jeremy Nash said Westbury was aware of his obligations to declare any extra income under the Social Security Act, but did not expect his work to go on for so long due to his ill health.
As a result Westbury was overpaid $1118.34 in sickness beneficiary payments and $252.00 of accommodation supplement.
All the money had since been repaid, Mr Nash said. On both charges Westbury was convicted and sentenced to 100 hours' community work, with court costs of $130.
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An 18-year-old Taihape man had his Mum to thank for not receiving a heavier sentence, Judge Atkins said.
Nathan Shaun Emery, labourer, admitted a charge of driving while suspended on March 12 on State Highway 1, Taihape.
Counsel Jeremy Nash said Emery knew he was a "twit" as he had his learner's licence for two years ? well past the required period.
Judge Atkins said Emergy could give a vote of thanks to his mother for writing a letter to him outlining his situation. It persuaded him not to send Emery to prison, he said.
Judge Atkins found special reason not to give Emery the mandatory disqualification of licence as he was driving for work reasons.
However, he gave Emery a final warning and if he drove while disqualified again he would probably end up in prison. Emery was convicted and fined $200, with court costs of $130 and disqualified from driving for two months.
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Te Reita Whakaaronui Marino, 23, unemployed, of Opotiki, admitted a charge of driving with an excess breath alcohol level on March 11 on Nelson St, Opotiki.
Marino was convicted and sentenced to 60 hours' community work and disqualified from driving for six months.
A $1000 worth of Marino's $2,206 outstanding fines were remitted for a further 100 hours' community work.