Ag 02 march, 2016

Page 1

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Since Sept 27, 1879

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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Ashburton cafes go smokefree Lewis close to big title P24

For lovers of chutney P13

FULL STORY

Ashburton is heading closer towards becoming a smokefree town, with a total of eight cafes asking their patrons not to light up.

Shooting victim played dead A woman who was seriously injured during a shooting rampage at the Ashburton Work and Income office has told a High Court jury she feared for her life as she played dead beneath her desk. Work and Income case worker Lindy Louise Curtis was the first witness to take the stand at the trial of Russell John Tully yesterday morning. Tully is accused of two counts of murder and two of attempted murder following the events of September 1, 2014. Ms Curtis tearfully recounted the events of the fateful day which left two of her co-workers, Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland dead. She described hearing a loud blast before turning to see a person wearing a

balaclava and armed with a gun making his way toward her. “At first I thought it was a hoax and someone was coming to take us hostage,” she said. Ms Curtis and her client took cover under the desk and watched the gunman’s feet as he approached them. “I recall him (the gunman) pointing the gun at my head and he fired,” she said. “I thought that I was history and wondered who would look after my family.” As the man glanced at her injured leg she feared he would fire again, and made the decision to play dead. She was adamant she had averted being shot in the head by lifting her leg in a

reflex action as he fired. After the gunman moved away Ms Curtis heard a “very emotional” woman’s voice pleading “I beg you, I beg you – you don’t have to do this” before another gunshot rang out. Although CCTV footage shows the shootings took place in just 61 seconds, Ms Curtis said events seemed to unfold at a much slower pace. As a result of her injury Ms Curtis was hospitalised for four days while between 165 to 170 shotgun pellets were surgically removed from her thigh.

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Lochlea Estate is a new subdivision situated only minutes from the Ashburton Town Centre.

Email: tony@lochlearesort.co.nz

Contact Tony Sands - 0800 272 7837

Weather: High 19˚ - Overnight 9˚ Page 22

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Entrance off Racecourse Rd, Ashburton

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