ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013
NEWS
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Probe set for links in quad-bike deaths mon to hold inquests involving deaths in similar circumstances and Mr Shortland would also be Three quad-bike deaths in hearing an inquest into a quadNorthland in six weeks will be bike death in Auckland in April. investigated by a coroner to check An expert witness would be for common links that could help giving evidence at the Auckland prevent similar future fatalities. inquest and that evidence might Northland Coroner Brandt also have some bearing on his Shortland will hold inquests into findings in the three Whangarei the 2010 deaths of Arapohue farm- hearings. er and builder Carlos Mendoza, Last year the Ministry of Business 52; Marua farmInnovation and er Jack McInnes, Employment 64; and Suzanne launched a safety Claudia Ferguson, campaign after 62, who all died several quad-bike The guidelines after quad-bike deaths across the accidents on farms say quad bike riders country. within six weeks Every year, on must be trained/ average, of one another. 850 peoMrs Ferguson experienced enough ple are injured, was towing a trailon farms, riding to do the job er of haylage when quad bikes, with her quad bike is five deaths. thought to have However, the rolled on steep ternumber of annual rain, pinning her deaths has risen underneath on August 9, 2010, at sharply in recent years, prompta Gammon Rd farm near Awarua, ing the ministry to release several about 20km south of Kaikohe. safety guidelines. Mr Mendoza died on September The guidelines say quad bike 16 near Dargaville. riders must be trained/experiMr McInnes died on September enced enough to do the job; should 25 when the quad bike he was choose the right vehicle for the job; using to spray weeds rolled on him always wear a helmet and children at Marua. should not ride adult quad bikes. He was riding it on a steep hill Farmers who don’t follow when it rolled and pinned him those safety steps risk penalface-down. ties under the Health and Safety Mr Shortland will hold the in Employment Act if someone inquests over three days at the working on their farm is seriously Whangarei Courthouse from injured or killed. March 26. The ministry also recommends A spokesman for the Chief that quad bikes be maintained in Coroner said the inquests were a safe condition; riders take care being heard at the same time to on slopes and rough terrain; don’t determine if there was anything exceed the capabilities of the bike; in common among the three inci- don’t do tasks that interfere with dents that could then be used to safe riding and keep both hands improve quad bike safety. on the bike, with eyes on the The spokesman said it was com- ground in front. - APNZ
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By Mike Dinsdale
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Photos Tetsuro Mitomo 180213-TM-016
Ashburton College head boy Kane Olsen talks about his tough journey to leading the college to 1200 fellow pupils yesterday.
Head boy, girl share stories ONLINE.co.nz
By Myles Hume Ashburton College pupils will not need to look far for inspiration this year. Along with the much awaited revelation of the house and student executives, the college’s head boy and head girl were presented their badges of honour and took a moment to share their journey to the top. Depression, a lack of drive and a tough upbringing were among experiences the college’s leaders Kane Olsen and Finau Fakapelea bravely put out in front of 1200 pupils sat on the chessboard yesterday. Kane, who surprised fellowpupils with his bag-piping talent beforehand, spoke of his tumultuous and challenging time last year when he was diagnosed with depression. Being with his closest friends and walking through the school gates every day was a struggle for Kane who was not afraid to
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tackle “the fragile road to recovery”. “It was anything but easy, I know there are a few that know what I’m talking about,” Kane said. “I’m not trying to pull heartstrings, I’m trying to put forward to you all that life does try test you and sometimes life, the unforgiving thing it can be, doesn’t make these tests the slightest bit easy and life tries to see what you are made of.” Head girl Finau said turning up to school and going home at the end of the day were not enough. She wanted to fulfill her dreams and grasp hold of every
opportunity. “I want to be able to make my parents proud, where mum will be able to forget the fact that she woke up at 5am and didn’t get home until 9pm. So she can forget the tears pain of swollen feet. So my dad will be proud and he will forget the stress and struggles of lifting 50kg boxes of meat.” Amidst the inspiration, there was also time for celebration as both Kane and Finau announced their student executive which will govern the college. The executive, chaired by Kane and Finau, will start to form committees in the coming weeks.
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Ashburton College principal Grant McMillan (left) head boy Kane Olsen and head girl Finau Fakapelea.
COURT
On sixth drink-driving The following people appeared before Judge Joanne Maze in the Ashburton District Court yesterday.
Drink driving Graeme Hans Vanderhilst, 44, of Ashburton, appeared on his sixth drink driving charge. He had been driving with 300 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (the legal limit is 80 millidrams). Judge Maze said the starting point for sentencing was imprisonment, given the high level and the number of previous drink driving offences. However she stepped back and sentenced Vanderhilst to four months’ home detention, with a supervision clause, and disqualified him from driving indefinitely.
Adam Robert Marshall, 26, a wool technician of Ashburton, was convicted of drink driving (EBA88mg/100ml). He was disqualified six months, fined $350, and ordered to pay court costs of $130. Jason Shane Alexander, 19, of Ashburton, was convicted of drink driving (EBA 920mg/l) and resisting police. He was sentenced to a total of 130 hours of community work, which included remittance of outstanding fines totalling $880, and disqualified from driving for six months. Richard James Hatrill, 53, of Allenton, was convicted of drink driving (EBA 555mg/l) and disqualified from driving for six months, fined $400 and ordered to pay court costs of $130.
Raymond Allan Coster, 53, of Hakatere, pleaded guilty to two charges of drink driving. The court was told Coster was on bail for the first offence on November 12, when he was arrested on December 23 (EBA 1158mg/l). Coster’s behaviour in a service station in Oamaru concerned staff, who had contacted the police. He has been held in custody since, and he was returned to jail last night on a 16 month sentence on both counts. He was also indefinitely disqualified from driving and ordered to hold a zero alcohol licence for three years, if he got his licence back.
Paese Paese, 45, a baker, of Hampstead, was convicted on his third count of drink driving (EBA 901mg/l) and a charge of driving while forbidden. He was disqualified from driving for 13 months, and ordered to hold a zero alcohol licence for three years from the time his licence is reissued. He was further sentenced to 80 hours of community work, 12 months supervision with stipulations to undertake drug and alcohol assessment and counselling.
Ricki Anthony Joseph McQueen, 23, spray painter, of Ashburton, pleaded guilty to drink driving with an excess breath alcohol (EBA) level of 874 micrograms per litre of breath. The legal adult limit is 400mg/l. He was convicted and disqualified from driving for six months, fined $700 and ordered to pay court costs of $130.
Other matters
Rachelle Kaye Fitzgerald, pleaded not guilty to charges of drink driving and giving false information. She was remanded for a status hearing on March 19.
Jason Henry Forsyth, a meat worker, of Ashburton, pleaded guilty to disqualified driving. He was disqualified from driving for six months, effective from May 26, when his current period of disqualification ends, fined $250 and ordered to have no interest in a motor vehicle for 12 months.
Yvonne Marie McLean, 54, of Ashburton was sentenced to five months home detention following her appearance in the Ashburton District Court on fraud charges yesterday. The case was brought to court by the IRD, who had proved 22 charges of failing to account for employees’ PAYE tax that was deducted from wages, totalling almost $50,000, and one GSTrelated charge. McLean’s health and personal problems were taken into account, as was her impending bankruptcy. Judge Maze declined the IRD’s request for solicitors’ fee payments of $250 per charge, saying it was not proper with a bankruptcy looming. She also left IRD to pursue recovery of the debt through the official assignee. Shane Ronald Douglas Coombes, 44, sub-contractor, of Rakaia, pleaded guilty to charges of cultivating and possessing cannabis, and a bong. He was convicted and fined $500 on the cultivation charge, convicted and discharged on the other two charges, and ordered to pay court costs. A destruction order was issued for the cannabis and bong. Michael David Johnston, 32, a farmer of Lauriston, was convicted on charges of assaulting a woman and threatening behaviour, on a guilty plea. The court was told Johnston and his pregnant partner fought while she was driving on January 28. She pulled up, and after a tussle about who would drive, Johnston got in the back seat and choked the victim. A passer-by intervened, and eventually managed to get the children and victim away from the scene, but not before Johnston punched and broke the windscreen in an effort to get in the car.
Napier man who charge hit partner with a spade denies harm with intent
He was convicted and remanded for a presentence report and sentencing on March 18.
Benjamin Josiah Leonard, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman, and had undertaken restorative justice before he appeared yesterday. The victim of the attack spoke directly to Judge Maze, disputing the police version of the event and saying it was overstated. The case was remanded for 21 days to allow the defendant time to file and serve an affidavit to this effect. Sentencing will then take place. Gordon Green, unemployed, of Ashburton, was convicted of theft on a guilty plea. He was sentenced to 100 hours community work – which included remitted outstanding fines.
Christopher Leon Weir, 22, unemployed, of Tinwald, remanded without plea, on charges of intentional damage, carrying a weapon, assaulting a woman and possessing and supplying cannabis, and possessing methamphetamine. He will reappear on March 19. Kandice Joan Gordon, 24, of Ashburton, was convicted and discharged on a theft charge. Casey Joan Caroline Kerr, 21, unemployed of Ashburton pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, and the Class B drug ecstasy, and not guilty to charges of disqualified driving and careless use. Police officers were assisting noise control officers early on the morning of August 8, when they noticed snap-lock bags containing drugs on the coffee table. She was convicted and sentenced to 40 hours of community work on each of the drug charges, to be served concurrently but cumulative on her existing community work sentence. On
the driving charges, Kerr was disqualified for 12 months, from November 30, 2012, and sentenced to 70 hours community work.
Jeremy Alan Reuben, 31, unemployed of Ashburton appeared to face charges of kidnap, twice assaulting a protected person, assaulting a woman, assault with intent to injure and cannabis-related offences. Reuben was remanded on custody by consent without plea until his next appearance on March 4. Levi Adam Barlett, 24, labourer of Tinwald, was convicted on his guilty plea for theft of alcohol, a bottle of rum worth less than $13 – he was fined $250, ordered to pay court costs of $130 and to make reparations of $12.90. Stephanie Duffield, 17, unemployed of Hinds, was convicted and sentenced to three months’ community detention with a 9pm to 7am curfew on theft and dishonesty charges. She will also undertake six months’ supervision, including drug and alcohol assessment and counselling, and pay reparations by installment. Brian Damond Cavill, 25, a farmer, of Hampstead, took offence when he was asked to leave The Shed nightclub on January 1 – and he started a fight with two other men, whose behaviour had also caused them to be removed from the club. As a result he was convicted of disorderly behaviour, fined $300 and ordered to pay court costs of $130. Christopher Jon Tait, 21, unemployed of Tinwald, was convicted and discharged on charge of obstructing police, but was ordered to pay court costs of $130.
garden spade. “He ran outside and hit her in the head with it,” Mrs Graham told the jury in her openA Napier man fractured his part- ing address. “Afterwards he then ner’s skull when he hit her with a went back inside ... he left her, litspade, then left her lying in a pool erally, lying in a pool of blood.” She of blood after an argument, a court said his response was definitely has heard. not reasonable given the circumA jury trial for Andrew Tauira stances. Whatarau began yesterday at “All I remember was waking up the Napier District at the hospital,” the Court in which he is woman said on the defending a charge stand yesterday. “I of causing grievous was told that I sufAfterwards bodily harm with fered a severe blow he then went intent. to the back of my The incident back inside ... he head.” occurred in the early Whatarau’s left her, literally, defence lawyer Scott hours of April 22, 2012 at Whatarau’s lying in a pool of Jefferson asked her residence in if she had picked blood Maraenui after the on Whatarau at the two had attended a party earlier that party at a friend’s night. house. He also asked her His partner at the time was if she had arrived home in a “jealtaken to hospital with injuries that ous rage”, and suggested she had included a 6cm wound to the back tried to run at Whatarau with a of her head, a fractured skull and stick at the property not long before bleeding around the brain, crown she suffered the head injuries. prosecutor Nicola Graham told the It was when she was trying to hit court. Whatarau with the stick that he She returned to the house after used the spade to protect himself leaving the party separately from and it was then when he struck her Whatarau. with it, Mr Jefferson said. When questioned by Mrs Graham, Mr Jefferson said a neighthe woman said she returned to the bour’s police statement described house calm after the two argued at Whatarau as retreating away from the party. her during the incident. But she returned to find herself Her account of the night was locked out then smashed several “completely” at odds with the neighwindows. bour’s, he said. It was after this that Whatarau The trial is expected to continue is said to have hit her with the today. - APNZ By Corey Charlton
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