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Violence of slaying shocks detective
– Wednesday, 24 December 2008
The beating that killed Christchurch prostitute Mellory Manning has shocked the detective in charge of the murder inquiry.
Ngatai Lynette Manning, 27, also known as Mellory, was found dead in the Avon River last Friday morning.
"Even with 29 years in the police, I was shocked at the level of violence that Mellory has been subjected to," he said.
Detective Inspector Greg Williams said she was strangled, stabbed in the chest several times and beaten about the head and legs with what appeared to be a piece of reinforcing steel.
"It is likely that Mellory was strangled, and this would have most likely rendered her unconscious," he said.
There were signs Manning had fought back, Williams said. It would be expected that there would have been significant blood loss at the time of this injury.
"Close to this occuring, she has sustained a number of significant blows to her head, resulting in severe head injuries."
Police had not ruled out the possibility of more than one attacker, Williams said.
"From these wounds and marks on her legs, it is believed that the weapon used is similar to a piece of reinforcing steel. A knife had been found in the river 150m upstream, but it was not known if it was involved in the attack.
Pathologists had indicated the weapon used to stab Manning was at least 16cm long and 2cm wide.
Police wanted to speak to their occupants, he said.
Williams said two vehicles seen in the Dallington Terrace area a four-wheel-drive and a white saloon were not the cars Manning was picked up in.
Neighbours said the house was often visited by police.
Manning lived in Upper Riccarton with her 41-year-old partner and his sister. In 2005, he lost an eye after being stabbed.
Manning's partner was jailed in 2006 for resulting in a trial to be aborted after he approached a juror.
Williams said people were ruled out only if they had alibis, and police were focusing on Manning's "last punter". The sister had more than 100 convictions for document fraud.
"We are concentrating on the vehicle that Mellory got into around 10.
The last vehicle she entered on Thursday night was still the focus of the investigation, he said. .30pm," he said. It had stopped at 10. It had stopped at 10.59.
"While we cannot be sure that this was the exact time Mellory went in the water at this stage, it gives us a time to work around," Williams said.
"I stress to the public that if they have any information about activities they may have seen between 10.30pm on Thursday and 6.55am on Friday, when Mellory's body was found, then they should contact us immediately."
Police set up a caravan close to the corner of Manchester and Gloucester streets last night and handed out flyers to passers-by.
Senior Constable Mike Withers said police had photographs of Manning, her jacket, boots and handbag set up on the footpath, which might help trigger people's memories.
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Mourners’ car antics disgusting say police
Saturday, 20 December 2008
The funeral for young man killed in a high-speed car crash erupted into mayhem as a convoy of boy racers tore up the roads, say police, who donned riot gear to disperse mourners.
Close to 100 cars turned out in convoy as friends and family took Brendon-Lee Roy Mehlhopt, 20, on his final road journey through Carterton on Thursday.
Mr Mehlhopt and Kyle Gregor died in a high-speed crash on December 11 near the Stokes Valley roundabout on Eastern Hutt Rd. But Mr Mehlhopt's family say no one was at risk and police were heavy-handed.
What unfolded after the funeral was an afternoon and night of bedlam on the streets, which police say was unnecessary.
"What they did was disgusting.
Acting Sergeant Ray Matthews said cars in the funeral convoy converged in Somerset Rd, Carterton, about 3pm, with many doing burnouts. They showed no respect for the residents who live down that road or their property by doing a bunch of burnouts and tearing up the road," he said."
The group quickly dispersed once police arrived, but trouble began again just after 10pm when police had more calls from George St residents concerned about the party.
"Their friend had just died in a crash and here they were putting themselves and others at risk with this idiotic tribute. Reinforcements were called and police returned in riot gear, Mr Matthews said.
Police arrived to be met by a fighting throng of more than 50, and had to retreat when they were pelted by beer bottles. We were trying hard to show restraint, given the circumstances.
"We were clearly outnumbered but fortunately there were a few in the mob who calmed things down before it erupted further."
Infringement notices were issued for traffic offences, but there were no arrests."
Infringement notices were issued for traffic offences, but there were no arrests.
"They weren't on the main road or endangering anyone. "These kids are all good kids and all they were doing were a few burnouts."
The post-funeral party did not turn into a street fight, she said. They did it for Brendon and I thought it was bloody neat. A few problems maybe, but it is the police who over-reacted. "There was no riot or drama. We did no harm to anyone.
"The day was about Brendon, giving him one last lap around town and partying in the way he would have wanted."
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Collosal squid attracts monster fan club
– Sunday, 14 December 2008
A giant squid yesterday pulled in more than twice the usual number of Saturday visitors to Te Papa. Up to 6500 people queued for the first opportunity to see the world's only displayed colossal squid.
The squid, the largest of the museum's three specimens of the world's largest invertebrate, proved a gigantic hit.
About 100 people sprinted to the 495kg creature's 6m tank inside Wellington's museum when the doors opened at 10am.
"It makes me hate the sea," said Lena Riki, 20, of Upper Hutt, who took her children, three-year-old Iranui and 12-month-old Arapeta to the exhibition.
"It's huge," said a wide-eyed Inzimam Ali, seven, of Johnsonville, who pestered his parents for a week to visit the exhibition after seeing a billboard about it. It was clinging to a toothfish longline in Antarctica's Ross Sea .
Although the colossal squid is the showpiece, the exhibition also includes a short 3-D animation film, computer interactives, specimen and model displays and an audiovisual telling the squid's remarkable journey since being captured by the fishing boat the San Aspiring on February 23, 2007.
Te Papa staff said they knew the squid exhibit which runs until 2011 would be popular, but they were stunned by the huge turnout.
Lectures on the squid are also running over the weekend. . "Seeing queues like this is rare and it's a gorgeous day outside it just shows you how keen people are," project manager Lucy Ryan said.
A blogsite on Te Papa's dedicated website, www. When scientists thawed it in April, the BBC reported it was the most globally viewed internet story for the week.tepapa.squid.nz, had attracted interest around the world.govt.
. An 85-year-old couple from America wrote they were keeping a close eye on the project
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Power surge ‘fries’ appliances
Tuesday, 04 November 2008
ROSS GIBLIN/The
BIG BLOWOUT: Anindita Banerjee contemplates the $6000 cost to replace her ruined appliances after a power surge in Karori. Power company Genesis Energy says it is taking no responsibility for the surge.
A Wellington woman fears being left $6000 out of pocket after a power surge blew 10 electrical appliances in her home.
Anindita Banerjee woke early on Wednesday to the smell of smoke and electrical burning.
The surge last week affected about 70 homes in Karori."
She estimated the damage at $6000, but said she was glad the situation was not worse.
"I managed to get up and switched a couple of appliances off, but I've lost at least 10, including the TV, hot water, DVS system, computer modem and dishwasher. "What if the house had burned down?"
Ms Banerjee complained to her power company, Genesis Energy.
Ms Banerjee had asked for compensation for her blown appliances, and was told to contact her insurance company.
Company spokesman Richard Gordon said it took her plight seriously, but was not responsible for power surges. About 70 homes were affected, though not all as badly as Ms Banerjee's.
A spokesman for lines company Wellington Electricity, Hugo Armstrong, said there was a power surge early on October 29 after a fault at the Tringham St substation.
"If there's something we can do to help this customer, we will. ."
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Fifteen arrested in North Shore drugs bust
– Friday, 03 October 2008
Fifteenpeople have been arrested on drug related charges after police raided several Auckland residential houses yesterday.
Detective Steve Matheson said warrants were executed in the North Shore suburbs of Milford, Glenfield, Northcote and Beach Haven.
A male and a female will appear in the North Shore District Court today charged with selling and supplying the Class A controlled drug methamphetamine.
He said those arrested were aged from 15 to 58, and included members of three families.
Matheson said they'll appear in North Shore District Court on Monday.
Thirteen others are charged with cannabis offences including possession of cannabis for supply and selling cannabis.
"The successful execution of these search warrants by the Waitemata District Law Enforcement Team and other North Shore Police units has been most satisfying.
He said police have been investigating the illegal activities at these houses for the past two months.
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"There's no doubt these arrests will seriously impact upon a regular supply to cannabis users in these suburbs," Matheson said