Two object to police presence at their home

Whanganui Courthouse. PHOTO/ FILE.

A pair of adults living in Somme Pde tried to prevent police officers coming onto their property and arresting a young nephew.

The 17-year-old had been bailed to their property, with strict conditions. On May 2 police found him off the property and in breach of his conditions.

He raced for home and his relatives Terry James Teone Maru and Donna Marie Kawau took exception when police came onto their property to arrest him. They had a three-year-old at the house at the time.

They yelled, swore and attempted to block entrances.

Both were charged with obstructing police in Whanganui District Court last week.

Duty solicitor Stephanie Burlace said what the two mainly objected to was one officer arriving with a gun. It was not in a holster and was pointed at the ground.

When he went out onto the footpath police were able to order the nephew outside and arrest him.

Accepting responsibility for housing the nephew while he was on bail gave the two obligations, District Court Judge Philip Crayton said.

"If you accept someone into a home with strict bail conditions, compliance with police requests is expected, irrespective of how you feel about it."

The two were each sentenced to 40 hours' community work.