Supervision to help trespasser

A Wanganui woman opened her bedroom curtain to find a man standing outside watching her and it was not the first time he had trespassed on her property.

Raynor Stephen Kahotea had a trespass notice served against last June.

"He knows the victim by name, but has never had any association with her," said police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen in Whanganui District Court on Thursday.

Kahotea also trespassed in January.

The woman was alone in her bedroom on the most recent occasion, and Kahotea continued to watch her when she saw him. She went to another part of the house, where she thought he couldn't see her, to call the police.

Defence lawyer Richard Leith said Kahotea had mental health issues and was a user of synthetic cannabis. Kahotea had a friend in the area, which was why he was nearby so often.

Judge David Cameron said: "I'm just concerned that we're dealing with a stalker here, or someone that's infatuated with someone else.

"In his own interests, he needs help."

Judge Cameron sentenced Kahotea to six months' supervision, telling him to "stay away from that address".

A man who "charged" his mother and tried to kick her several times was given community work.

Elijah Mehera Haddon got into an argument with his sister early on April 4 after he had been drinking.

Haddon's mother called police when the argument began to escalate, and they all went out onto the front lawn where Haddon ran at his mother and "raised his leg three times into the air to kick her".

Defence lawyer Stephanie Burlace said the victim told her it was a "one-off type of incident".

Haddon has apologised to both his mother and sister.

Ms Burlace said it was "relatively low level offending", though it could have been more serious if the kicks connected.

Judge Cameron sentenced Haddon to 40 hours' community work on the common assault charge.