Two a penny

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A jealous lover was today jailed for a claw hammer attack on a man who he believed to be his ex-girlfriend’s new partner.

Trevor William Grindrod, 34, was sentenced at the High Court in Wellington to seven years and nine months imprisonment.

The man barricaded himself in the bedroom and told Grindrod he had called the police, “but you were not to be denied,” attacking him with the claw hammer, Justice Gendall said.

Justice Warwick Gendall said that six weeks after Grindrod split with his girlfriend, he visited her house uninvited and saw her with a workmate, “you thought, in a mildly amorous situation”.

“You were fortunate you did not kill the complainant.

“This was an unprovoked, prolonged, gratuitous attack with a lethal weapon,” Justice Gendall said.

He smashed his way into the property through a window, broke through the bedroom door and began hitting the man in the head and body with the hammer, adding punches and kicks.”

Crown prosecutor Kate Feltham said Grindrod walked from Wainuiomata to the workmate’s Lower Hutt house, “picking up” the hammer on the way.

Grindrod told police he was trying to kill the man and was initially charged with attempted murder.

The attack spilled into the bathroom where Grindrod ripped a vanity from the wall and attempted to beat his victim with it.

His victim suffered numerous injuries including a broken nose, but after months of physiotherapy escaped long term physical damage.

This was later reduced to injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

“You are a violent man with a low anger threshold and when slighted by others, or you think you are, you attack.

Justice Gendall noted Grindrod had 20 previous convictions, four of which were for assault and included two attacks on children between late 2007 and early 2008.”

A starting point of 10 1/2 years jail was given, but Grindrod was given a “generous discount” of one-third for his early guilty pleas.”

He said Grindrod had attended an anger management course, “but it appears to have had little effect.

Grindrod was also sentenced to five years for aggravated burglary and two years for grievous damage, to be served concurrently, and ordered to pay $3269 in reparation for property damage on his release. A further nine months was added in light of his previous convictions.

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Justice Gendall said Grindrod was fortunate the crown had not sought a minimum jail period

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The Government is planning a stocktake of valuable minerals in the conservation estate but it isn’t going to dig up pristine landscape, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Conservation land is protected by Schedule Four of the Crown Minerals Act and Mr Brownlee said he wasn’t considering changing the legislation.”What we’re examining at is the type of land that needs to be in Schedule Four,” he told reporters today.”Mr Brownlee mentioned the stocktake at a mining conference in Queenstown yesterday.”All we’re saying is there may be some places where the conservation values of the land are significantly less than the high standard put on Schedule Four.The estimated value of untapped minerals in New Zealand has been put at about $140 billion and around 70 percent of that involves conservation land.He said today there seemed to be “a degree of panic” about it which was not warranted.”New Zealand has some of the most pristine landscape in the world.”What we’re saying is where there are new lands added to that we need to balance both aspects of economic and conservation values. It is recognised in Schedule Four of the Crown Minerals Act as being impenetrable,” Mr Brownlee said. This is a stocktake, which is perfectly reasonable. .”What New Zealanders need to know is that New Zealand is similarly endowed,” he said.”He said the previous government spent nine years explaining the economic gap between Australia and New Zealand was as a result of Australia’s mineral wealth.”It’s going to be a very public process.”It’s going to be a very public process

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A plane flying from Great Barrier Island to Auckland with around 11 people on board was forced to turn back yesterday when one of its propellers broke apart shortly after take-off.

Traffic Accident Investigation Commission chief investigator Tim Burfoot said they knew very little about the incident involving the Great Barrier Airlines plane but an investigator had been sent to the island.

He said the rear-propeller of the tri-engine plane, believed to be a Britten Norman Trilander, had broken apart and either one or both blades had detached themselves from the rear engine’s propeller hub mid-flight.

Mr Burfoot said pilots were trained to handle such situations and it was standard practice for planes to find a suitable spot for an emergency landing.

“The plane made a successful return and nobody was injured,” he said.”

It was unclear what damage there was to the plane.

“The plane had three engines, that particular plane, so they obviously would have lost one and [the pilot] would have shut that down when it happened and he would have had the other two.

The investigation was expected to take several days. .

Great Barrier Island fire and police said they were not aware of the incident.

– By Michael Field and Clio Francis,

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LATEST:
Lock Jason Eaton and wing Hosea Gear have been handed international recalls as Graham Henry today unveiled his 30-strong All Blacks squad for the Tri-Nations.

The selection of Eaton and Gear, who both toured with the All Balcks at the end of last year, and the return from injury of experienced performers Richie McCaw, Rodney So’oialo and Sitiveni Sivivatu are the features of the squad named this morning by Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen.

Dropped from the Iveco Series squad is exciting young Counties Manukau wing Lelia Masaga, who could claim to be hard done by after being given only a fleeting chance to shine, and Waikato loose forward Liam Messam who seems to have paid the price for a shoddy performance in Dunedin against France.

Toeava has been named in the squad but Henry confirmed he will miss the first three tests of the Tri-Nations with a stress fracture in his foot.

The squad has a 17-13 forwards-backs split, but it continues to be dogged by injury with utility back Isaia Toeva the latest to join the list of walking wounded.

The return of All Blacks captain McCaw will be a massive boost, with the skipper now fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of the Iveco Series. Five-eighth Stephen Donald is also carrying a hamstring strain that may put his participation in the July 18 competition opener against the Wallabies in doubt. .

Both last played for the All Blacks on the 2008 Grand Slam tour, with the pair returning to New Zealand yesterday after helping the Junior All Blacks to victory in the recent IRB Pacific Nations Cup in the Pacific Islands.

The big movers have been 26-year-old Hurricanes and Taranaki lock Eaton and 25-year-old Hurricanes and Wellington winger Gear who have both been whistled up out of the Junior All Blacks. They will then reassemble in Auckland next Sunday to start preparations for the competition opener.

The All Blacks squad will get together in Wellington for a two-day camp next week (Wednesday and Thursday) with four players added as cover.

Players not considered for selection due to injury include lock Ali Williams (Achilles), wing Rudi Wulf (shoulder), flanker Adam Thomson (hand), centre Richard Kahui (shoulder), lock Anthony Boric (toe), halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), flanker Scott Waldrom (back) and first-five eighths Daniel Carter (Achilles).

They are: Hurricanes and Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison, Crusaders and Canterbury first five-eighths Stephen Brett and 2008 All Blacks Ben Franks and Anthony Tuitavake, who were all members of the victorious Junior All Blacks squad.

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A Poverty Bay teenager found dead in his
bed yesterday suffered head injuries in an fight at a party last week,
police say.

A homicide investigation has been launched, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott of Gisborne CIB said.

Family members found Waylin Te Rau Aroha Ngarangione, 19, dead at his family home in Manutuke, 13km southwest of Gisborne, about 9am yesterday.

`We’re still trying to work out exactly what’s happened,” he said.

The teen had been involved in an fight during a small party at the house in Manutuke last Wednesday night, Mr Scott said. It was at a party of about eight to 10 people, a small group of family and friends.

“I think it was just a minor argument.

“We’re still working through it, talking to all the people who were there, just putting a picture together.

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– Next Crime story: –
Body may be that of missing man

– National Homepage –

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Attacker asks victim not to call police

Saturday, 21 February 2009

A manwho broke into a Porirua home, pinned a woman to her bed and punched her repeatedly, apologised and asked her not to call police before fleeing.
The attack happened as the woman, in her 40s, was preparing for bed in her Whitby home about 11.15pm on Wednesday. "The first thing that went through my mind was: `this is not a burglary, he's going to rape me'.
The woman had just come out of an ensuite bathroom and saw the man come out of her walk-in wardrobe."
In a frenzy she lashed out with her arms and legs but the intruder managed to throw her on the bed, punching her repeatedly on the face and covering her mouth to stifle the screams.
"But I wasn't going to let that happen, I was going to fight.
"He was covering my mouth and nose as well."
But the woman kept fighting, punching his head and body and pulling down the clothing he used to cover the lower part of his face. For a couple of seconds I thought, `My God, I'm going to suffocate'. He repeated "sorry, sorry" before leaving the house.
The man soon stopped, apologising to her, saying he was doing a "job" for someone but had got the wrong address.
"The whole experience still feels so surreal, but he had no right.
The woman received medical treatment for cuts and bruises and, though she said one side of her face looked ghastly, she was just thankful things had not been worse. And I'm very worried that he will do it again to someone else. And I'm very worried that he will do it again to someone else.
The man is described as dark skinned, clean shaven, of medium build and about 1. He believed the man got into the house through an unlocked door. He was possibly wearing a dark top.75 metres (5ft 7in) tall.

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Police would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious persons or vehicles around Staithes Drive North in Whitby on the night of the attack, or from anyone who has had anything similar happen to them

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New stage of Manukau police hub open

By NICOLA WILLIAMS – Eastern Courier Tuesday, 10 February 2009

TIMI TIKKANEN/Eastern Courier
GRAND OPENING: Police minister and Papakura MP Judith Collins opened the second stage of the Manukau policing hub complex today.

The second stage of a Manukau policing hub was opened today by police minister Judith Collins.
It features a tunnel between the Hub and the Manukau courthouse for prisoner transfers.
Part two of the Wiri Station Rd police station has a 24-hour cell block and will be home to team policing, road policing, a file management centre and a serious incidents room. .
The second stage cost $22 million bringing the total cost of the hub to $35 million.
"I am a firm believer that the foundation of any police service is officers out on the streets and the neighbourhoods where crime occurs.
"I am confident that this state-of-the-art new station will enable the police to serve the people of Manukau City and Counties-Manukau with professionalism and pride."
She expressed her pride in the New Zealand police and her belief they are among the finest in the world. Being visible and being responsive is one of the greatest deterrents to criminals."
Ms Collins says additional manpower, stronger legislation and community support will make a significant impact on the front lines of crime.
"However, there is no room for complacency, during my term as Police Minister I will be asking for even higher levels of excellence and professionalism.
The Hub is now the police headquarters for Manukau which was previously located in Otahuhu.
Among those at the ceremony were assistant commissioner Steve Shortland, district commander Mike Bush and deputy police commissioner Lynne Provost.

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Chch mayor vows to give away pay rise

By JO McKENZIE-McLEAN – Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker plans to donate the pay rise he receives this year to charity or a community project.
Parker will get a $5032 salary increase from July a 3.
The total salary pool for other elected members, including councillors and community board members, would increase by $51,000, he said, and the council would meet in March to decide how the pool should be allocated.2 per cent rise.
However, he "would not feel comfortable taking it in light of the current economic situation" and Prime Minister John Key's call for restraint on salaries for MPs.
Parker cannot refuse the increase, which is set by the Remuneration Authority. It's not about the money; it's about doing a good job for residents to ensure the future of our wonderful city," Parker said.
"Being mayor of this city is a job I love."
Councillors contacted last night thought Parker's actions were noble but most were non-committal over whether they would follow suit.
"Although the increase is beyond my control, I can ensure that the extra dollars paid to me can be returned to the community and put to good use.
"I think it's noble of the mayor to make such a gesture, but our increase would not be of the same magnitude, I would have thought.
"We could look at it, but I am not aware of the pay increase," Deputy Mayor Norm Withers said. But in principle, good on him.
"I would rather wait and sit down as a group of elected members before commenting.
Parker said he was not trying to "preach" to others about donating pay increases."
Councillor Sally Buck said that while she was not aware of councillors getting a pay increase, she would be happy to donate hers to charity. Everyone's circumstances are different," he said.
"It's up to every individual. I think it would be inappropriate for someone like that.
"Mayors on smaller councils don't get paid, in my view, a great deal of money compared with the workload, the pressure and all of those issues they have to carry.
MPs received pay rises of between 3."
Key last week called for a freeze on MPs' pay. .8 per cent and 4.
Parker has also asked staff to re-evaluate Sister City engagements this year that would see him travelling overseas at ratepayers' expense.
Parker has also asked staff to re-evaluate Sister City engagements this year that would see him travelling overseas at ratepayers' expense.

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Archaeologists uncover 700-year-old Maori home

By ALEX VAN WEL – Thursday, 15 January 2009

Alex van wel
DIGGING UP PAST: Archaeology masters student Jean Spinks sifts stone flakes on the Wairau Bar.

Otago University archaeologists have identified what they believe to be the site of a 700-year-old dwelling on the Wairau Bar in Marlborough. .
At the dig yesterday, the main focus was a mound of earth known by Rangitane as Mohua, where the remains of a house had been uncovered.
A deal between local iwi Rangitane, the museum and Otago University means scientists have been allowed back for the first time in almost half a decade. "There are adzes on the site that look like they are made by real specialists, but there are also fairly ordinary adzes, so what we suspect is the case is that there are a small number of people who were producing the highest quality materials, but probably every household had an adze-maker.
Team leader Richard Walter believed it might have been the home of a professional adze-maker."
The Wairau Bar is considered one of New Zealand's prime archaeological sites. Bones and artefacts uncovered at the site in the 1940s and 1950s provided the first direct link with the islands of East Polynesia. A thin slice of land separating a lagoon from the open sea just east of Blenheim, it was settled about AD1300. "What we are finding now is evidence of the structures, the layout; we are beginning to uncover the plans of the village itself.
Walter said the team had already gained a fuller picture of the site's original inhabitants.

Graves from the area were dug up in the 1940s and 1950s and the koiwi (human remains) were taken to Canterbury Museum."
Walter is leading a large group of scientists and researchers who have been at the site since last week. Rangitane had campaigned for the return of the bones of their ancestors' bones, which were expected to be repatriated in April. Rangitane had campaigned for the return of the bones of their ancestors' bones, which were expected to be repatriated in April.

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Heathcote River death not suspicious

Friday, 09 January 2009

RECOVERY: Police recover what is thought to be the body of a young man fom the Heathcote River today.

A 44-year-old Christchurchmanpulled from the Heathcote River was notthe victim of foul play, police say.
The Fire Service provided a cherry picker to help with the recovery and the body was removed from the river at about 2.
The body wasspotted in the riverby a member of the public walkingnear Aynsley Tce in Opawa, southern Christchurch at about 10am today. .20pm.
"We're not examining for anyone else in connection with it.
"We've had the post-mortem and the results are more indicative of being something other than a criminal act," Rae said.''