‘Cut your face off’ threat to would-be helper during petrol station dispute

His lawyer told the court the catalyst for the offending was “a bit of a dispute” with his partner at a gas station. “A Good Samaritan intervened and he’s pulled a knife out and told him to mind his business,” he said.

That prompted an interjection from Judge Wickliffe.

“He didn’t just wave it around… [he said] buzz off or I will cut your face off.”

She also told Tuaroa-Jerry’s lawyer she did not like hearing the offending “minimised”, prompting him to concede his client “acted poorly in terms of what he’s done”.

“Not acceptable behaviour in the community,” he said.

“He thought this person was butting in, acted poorly… gone way beyond what was appropriate in the circumstances.

“He hasn’t covered himself in glory.”

He said his client suffered from “poor problem solving ability” but had since gained some insight into the offending.

Judge Wickliffe asked Tuaroa-Jerry directly whether he himself would intervene if he thought a woman was at risk, prompting a yes response.

“He [the victim] thought he saw a woman that might need some help,” she said.

She said the offending took place on February 2 this year at a Z petrol station in Tūrangi. Given Anaru Tuaroa-Jerry was 25 years old, she would reject the defence submission his age was a mitigating factor.

Sentencing Tuaroa-Jerry to nine months of supervision and two months of community detention, she told him the sentence was “a bit of a reminder over the Christmas and summer months… there has to be some sort of punishing element here”.

Facing a raft of drug related charges, it was a breach of bail charge that landed Laurence Chase his appearance via audiovisual link – and an admission from Judge Wickliffe.

“Unfortunately you were arrested for breaching your bail, when you didn’t.”

She said Chase was granted permission to attend his grandmother’s funeral via a bail variation, and “didn’t go anywhere you shouldn’t have”.

She also said a test afterwards found him to be drug-free.

“You should have been left in peace at the Grace Foundation [a drug rehabilitation facility]. I’m readmitting you back there.”

Judge Wickliffe also had a message for Chase about the mix-up.

“Please don’t feel bad about the authorities, the police, they were just doing what they were told to do.”

Chase is set to reappear at Rotorua District Court on January 15, but his appearance was excused.

“Let’s leave him in rehab.”

Texting his lawyer at 6.30am to advise about an “overheated car” did not prevent a warrant for arrest being issued for Jamie Ashford, who was meant to be appearing for sentencing on charges of cannabis possession, breaching community work and failing to answer district court bail.

His lawyer said he asked Ashford for confirmation of the car troubles from a mechanic, “but didn’t get a response”.

Ascertaining that Ashford resided in Taupō Judge Wickliffe asked “do they have buses here?”

She issued a warrant for his arrest.

Kahla Hotene had entered guilty pleas to charges of obtaining by deception over $1000, three theft charges and three shoplifting charges, but sentencing was delayed due to the absence of a pre-sentence report.

Judge Wickliffe praised her noting there had been “no offending since you’ve been arrested”.

“That’s really good.”

She also noted the shop lifting was “to do with drugs”.

Hotene is set to be sentenced on March 20.

Possession of a cannabis pipe is one alleged offence Amy Jackson doesn’t need to worry about any more, after Sergeant Toby Morgan withdrew the charge.

However, he did note “Ms Jackson has a lot of other stuff going on” with court matters in Rotorua.

A sign language interpreter was called on for the appearance of James Trethowen, who pleaded not guilty to one charge of wounds with intent to grievous bodily harm.

He also requested a jury trial and is set to reappear on March 18.

The appearance of Aaron Johnson prompted a ‘bark’ from the gallery – and a request from Judge Wickliffe to remove the barker.

“Was that a bark?” she asked, before the man was ejected.

She then addressed Johnson directly.

“That’s not on you. I’m not taking that against you.”

Johnson’s lawyer entered guilty pleas to charges of driving while disqualified third or subsequent, theft, possession of methamphetamine and utensils, shoplifting, behaving threateningly and failure to answer district court bail.

His lawyer said the “elephant in the room here is methamphetamine”.

“All the hallmarks of Mr Johnson being back on the meth.”

Judge Wickliffe said the threat charge related to an incident where Johnson stole meat from a Pak’nSave, threatening a staff member.

“You said in explanation you were hungry and wanted to get some meat.”

Johnson was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on March 25.