Two a penny

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A top New Zealand entertainer tried to force a young woman to perform a sex act, a court has heard.

The identity of the man will remain a secret after judge Eddie Paul granted him interim name suppression at the Auckland District Court today.

In August, the man pled guilty to one charge of performing an indecent act with intent to insult.

The court heard submissions from media organisations who wished to challenge the man’s request for permanent name suppression.

The man was due to be sentenced this afternoon, however Judge Paul reserved his decision until next Friday.

“To say that this is a day of great disappointment and regret for [name suppressed] would be a great understatement,” Mr Mansfield said.

The man’s lawyer, Ron Mansfield, said his client was very remorseful.

The charge relates to an incident earlier this year when the man had been intoxicated and walking home. The man and two of the females went down an alleyway.

He had encountered three young women who had asked to kiss him. “She was taken by the head and her head moved down to his genitalia,” Mr Mansfield said.

The third female later followed the others down the alleyway and approached him from behind.

Mr Mansfield’s client acknowledged he had acted inappropriately.

Some time after that the young woman contacted police.

The man had pled guilty at an early stage, had offered to pay reparations of $5000 to the victim and offered to take part in a restorative justice meeting with her.

The man had pled guilty at an early stage, had offered to pay reparations of $5000 to the victim and offered to take part in a restorative justice meeting with her.

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A nine-year-old boy begged his older sister to let him move in with her to escape his mother’s beatings, a court has been told.

The sister was giving evidence at Dunedin District Court where her mother was facing assault charges.Jurors wept during the first day of the trial on Monday as the boy described how he was abused by her.The charges include assault with a weapon including a wooden spoon, jug cord, fibreglass tent pole, sandals or a belt.The 41-year-old Invercargill woman is facing 14 counts of assault against her three children, aged three, nine and 12, that allegedly took place between April 2006 and March 2008.The adult sister told the jury and Judge Stephen O’Driscoll she saw her mother “viciously” laying into two of her younger brothers with a belt. .”They (the children) were annoying each other, poking each other, jumping around.”She used to tell (one of the boys) that she hated him and that she was going to crack them. (They were) just being kids.”Earlier yesterday, the nine-year-old child told the court, via closed circuit television, how he would “run away screaming because it hurts” when he was hit, and that he and his brothers would hide when the jug cord came out. You don’t tell a three-year-old that.

.The trial is expected to finish tomorrow

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An international drug syndicate busted in Queenstown was allegedly using human mules and the postal service to import tonnes of ecstasy into the resort town.

The scale of the operation has astounded police, who believe some of the alleged mules were holiday-makers examining for fast cash to pay for their winter getaway.

“We were quite amazed at the scale of this syndicate.

“We know people have in the past come here and financed their winter holidays by bringing in small amounts of [drugs] and selling them to supplement their stay here but we never imagined it was on this kind of scale,” said Queenstown detective sergeant Grahme Bartlett. . Queenstown is a party town, a tourist town, and clearly Class A, Class B and Class C drugs are available but . we’re quite staggered by how much is coming in. .

The seven, who appeared in court last week and were granted name suppression, are alleged to be part of an international drug syndicate that has been smuggling drugs into Queenstown from Vancouver, Canada.”

Last week police seized $108,000 worth of Ecstasy when they raided properties in Otago and Christchurch and arrested seven people – three in Queenstown, one in Christchurch, one in Oamaru and two in Dunedin – for importing, producing and selling the Class B drug.

“They have been using two forms of importing – human couriers, which we refer to as mules, and using the international mail system,” said Bartlett. The syndicate has been under covert police surveillance since mid- year.”

Bartlett would not comment on the nationalities of those allegedly acting as mules but said the syndicate had links to Australia and Bali, as well as Vancouver. “Customs at the airports throughout New Zealand do a fantastic job at the border but there is always people out there devising ways and means to circumvent the systems. “We’re satisfied we’ve got the four main players .

Police inquiries were continuing and more arrests were likely. . . There will be people in Queenstown today extremely concerned because we have a list of people we know have been procuring this Class B drug and they will get picked up over the next month or two. now we’re examining at the lower level suppliers and purchasers of these drugs.

“They tell me they have an almost out-of-control drug culture there. . In Vancouver they are about $5. Over here an ecstasy tablet costs between $70 and $90.”

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This year is shaping up to be the battle of the bloggers at New Zealand Fashion Week.

Jenna Sauers, who wrote under the pseudonym ‘Tatiana Anymodel’, on high-profile New York-based feminist blog Jezebel, will be writing about New Zealand Fashion Week for .

Other high-profile bloggers who will be attending the event this year include Joe K and Dan Bailey from Tokyodandy.com.com and Rumi Neely from fashiontoast.

“When I started modeling after university I wanted to be a writer, that was a dream.

Sauers said she is thrilled to be blogging for from New Zealand Fashion Week. I never expected that modeling would inspire me to write.

Her ‘Modelslips’ blog developed a cult following with her explosive look into the underbelly of the modelling world.” Sauers told .

Sauers said that she steeled herself for a negative response but was shocked and surprised by the support she received.

In July she decided to give up modelling and reveal her identity to readers and the industry. People I’d worked with years ago dropped me a line and said really nice stuff.

“It was actually incredibly positive; I got lots of e-mails about it.”

Sauers spent two years modelling for magazines such as Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour and InStyle, and wrote in her Jezebel posts about the less glamorous side of the industry.”

Sauers spent two years modelling for magazines such as Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour and InStyle, and wrote in her Jezebel posts about the less glamorous side of the industry.”

These days she is more concerned about her writing than her measurements. It’s psychologically demanding to maintain your own confidence – there were moments where your confidence is just shaken to the core by clients saying awful things about your body.” Sauers said.

“I really enjoy that I’ve been able to continue my involvement with fashion – just from a different perspective. That appeals to me as a feminist. .

This year she’ll be watching the shows from the audience and blogging about her experience on .”

Last year Sauers took part in runway shows for Zambesi, Lonely Hearts and Trelise Cooper at New Zealand Fashion Week. The process of making a fashion show come together is so different from watching one.

“It’s a different environment out front than being backstage.

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The mother of a Tokoroa schoolboy who was chased and hit by a four-wheel-drive vehicle on Saturday says her son had his entire body run over and was left with tyre marks on his back.

Seth Tera, 15, was taken to Waikato Hospital with head and chest injuries after the driver of a four-wheel-drive allegedly chased him for several blocks before running him over in Baberton St about 3.

He was in a serious but stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit today.30am on Saturday. He was remanded in custody to reappear on September 25.

An 18-year-old Rotorua man was arrested last night and appeared in Tokoroa District Court charged with attempted murder.

Seth’s mother, Liz Tera, told she was focusing her energy on caring for her son and that news of the arrest had not had much of an impact.

Police had earlier said the incident happened as part of a gang initiation, and that Seth and his two friends had no links to any gang but just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“I’m just using all the energy I’ve got left to try and stay positive and talk to him (Seth), encouraging him to make himself well from the inside.

“Funnily enough it’s just a dull ‘oh’ at the moment,” she said.

“Occasionally he becomes conscious, but the hospital staff try to keep him sedated because his heart rate increases, which creates pressure on the brain which is not good for his healing.”

Ms Tera said her son had track marks running up his back, and was suffering from a skull fracture, broken ribs and punctured lungs. Her son was not a trouble-maker and had no involvement in gang activity.”

Ms Tera said the attack came as a complete shock. It’s just unfortunate that this happened to Seth, my baby.

“It would appear that a group of thugs wandered into town and just decided to pick on this quiet group of boys.

“We just try to be law-abiding citizens and mind our own business.”

She said she hadn’t heard of a similar situation in Tokoroa for more than 20 years.”

Ms Tera said Seth’s friends were upset about what had happened and had been part of a huge support group for the family following the incident. This is the first time something like this has happened to us. .

“I think three quarters of the town have been up to visit him or text or have rung.”

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Tisha Lowry’s family say they are pleased to finally have closure after police confirmed she was the second body removed from the ‘house of horrors’.

At a press conference outside the Wainoni housethis afternoon, Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald said the confirmation was a ”tragic conclusion” for her family, nearly a year after she disappeared.

He did not reveal the cause of her death but said a second murder charge would be laid on Friday against the 32 year-old man already accused of murdering his wife.

“More importantly thanks for all the love and support received from our families and friends. . Manning’s body was found dumped in the Avon River on December 19 last year.”

There has been reports in the media that there were connections with the unsolved murder of prostitute Mellory Manning.

Fitzgerald said today: “There’s nothing that gives us any links with any other cases.

Ms Lowry, 28, was last seen by her grandfather when she waved goodbye to him at the Bower Tavern in suburban New Brighton on September 25 last year.”

Members of Ms Lowry’s family and her friends were present at the conference today.

PROPOSAL TO BUY HOUSE

Meanwhile, aChristchurch City Council proposal to buy the house has been welcomed by the owner of the adjoining house, who says the offer has “lifted a huge weight” off him.

Police spoke with more than 3000 people in their search for Ms Lowry, including the accused, but had no reason to suspect him at that time, Mr Fitzgerald said.

In an announcement that surprised some councillors, Parker said that after watching the removal of one of the bodies on TV on Monday night, he believed the “only resolution” was for the council to buy the Aranui house and the adjoining home on the property.

The Christchurch house may be bought by the city council because no-one would want to live there, Mayor Bob Parker says.

“Nobody can go back and live there or, in the short term, would even want to consider being in that place,” he said.

“Nobody can go back and live there or, in the short term, would even want to consider being in that place,” he said.

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A New Zealand military chaplain, Father Darren O’Callaghan, has held a memorial service in the Solomon Islands for one of the New Zealanders killed in the Tongan ferry disaster.

Fr O’Callaghan held the service so members of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) could farewell Sisiliah Puleheloto, 24, a member of the Niue police force. A cousin, Dwenelle Luani, 25, last saw her on the sinking MV Princess Ashika grasping at seats inside the passenger lounge as the ferry rolled over.Ms Puleheloto had taken leave to visit relatives in Tonga. A total of 54 people – all men – were rescued, and two bodies were recovered.She remains one of the 73 people missing after the ferry sank in Ha’apai waters on August 5.RAMSI special coordinator Graeme Wilson said the young policewoman, who worked in the community relations team, had made an enormous contribution, showing a big heart and working to help Solomon Islanders build a better, safer future. .She would be missed not only by the remaining 15 members of the Niue police force, but by the many friends she had made around the world in her short life, Mr Buchhorn said.The commander of the Participating Police Force (PPF), Wayne Buchhorn, said “Sisi”, as she was known, was one of only two officers who made up RAMSI’s Niue contingent and the first female officer to represent her nation in an overseas mission.Ms Puleheloto is the fifth active member of RAMSI to die in the six years since RAMSI first deployed to the Solomon Islands in July 2003.

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A police checkpoint within Kiwi soldiers’ area of responsibility in Afghanistan, has come under attack from insurgents in the run-up to presidential elections.

Insurgents with rocket-propelled grenades and AK47s sparked a three-hour gunfight on Thursday, leaving one policeman injured and another missing.

Only hours later, a Kiwi patrol rushed to investigate a loud explosion near the Ish Pesta checkpoint, possibly an IED (improvised explosive device) attack.

It’s thought that Taliban threats scared voters and dampened turnout in the militant south.

No further details on the second attack were available last night.

The checkpoint targeted in the first attack sits in a mountain gorge in the Pashtun enclave, on the border of Bamiyan and Baghlan provinces, and falls within the New Zealand provincial reconstruction team’s (PRT) region. Insurgents killed 26 Afghans in scattered attacks, but officials said militants failed to disrupt the vote.

It has been repeatedly targeted, but yesterday’s attack was the worst.

Police officers returned fire, but did not have the weapons needed to repel the onslaught. Bullets tore through windows, becoming embedded in walls as insurgents in the mountains across a river fired repeatedly.

A Kiwi patrol inspected the checkpoint as soon as it heard about the attack. The gunfight ended when the attackers ran out of ammunition.

“My guess is they would have moved to Baghlan province, which is outside our PRT boundaries,” he said.

However, patrol commander Corporal Matthew Pearce did not hold out much hope of finding the insurgents.

Policeman Ahmed Zia said he feared he was “going to die” in the gunfire.

Policeman Ahmed Zia said he feared he was “going to die” in the gunfire.

“When I heard the shots, I took my weapon and fired back.

There were six men at the checkpoint when fighting broke out “around midnight”. The enemy was yelling at us to put our weapons down, but we fired back.

“It was really frightening, very loud.”

Pearce walked around the area yesterday, and checked the condition of the injured man.

“It went on so long because they used up all their rounds.

“Given the time of the month, it coincides with all the other new moon attacks, and being on the eve of the election, it’s really no surprise at all.

He said it was the type of incident the Kiwis had expected. .

“I always expect more, but it’s possible that this may have been the token effort for this group of insurgents

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More New Zealanders are diagnosing their illnesses online instead of going to their GP, according to a new survey.

More than a third of those surveyed in the 2009 NetGuide Telecom broadband survey had looked for medical advice from the many internet-based resources available rather than visiting their GP. .com, diagnoseme.

There are also many websites providing medical advice including answers.com.com and healthline.

But New Zealand Medical Association chairman Peter Foley warned there was no substitute for a face to face consultation with a doctor for diagnoses. Many illnesses can have similar symptoms and the internet can’t provide you with a fully informed diagnosis or be relied on to provide factual and balanced information, Dr Foley said.

“People risk being misinformed if they rely solely on the internet.”

Ralph Brayman, Telecom’s director of home services, said the survey was a useful way to track the fast changing internet habits of New Zealanders.

“It is important that there is some balance between people seeking basic information for themselves with the role experts play in sorting the complexity of symptoms and expectations in our modern health systems.

About 1600 people took part in the survey, which included various other questions about New Zealanders’ internet habits.

“While the quantity and variety of information available on the internet is fantastic, as in all good things, moderation and balance are important,” Mr Brayman said.

* Do you prefer using the internet or going to the doctor? below.

* Do you prefer using the internet or going to the doctor? below

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A Northland man is in a critical condition after a long running feud between three men erupted into violence last night.

Police said a 57-year-old man is in Auckland Hospital after a fight broke out at a rural home, close to Kaikohe, around 6.

Police communications manager Sarah Kennett said two men had arrived at the home armed with an iron bar and a tomahawk planning to confront the 46-year-old owner.30pm.

The occupant and the second man, aged 61 years, also suffered moderate injuries.

“A violent fight ensued resulting in the occupant overpowering the two Kaikohe men,” Ms Kennett said.

Police said all three men were known to each other and the fight had been the result of a long-running disagreement. They have since been discharged from hospital.

The next of kin have yet to be advised and no names of the people involved have been released. .

Charges have not been laid.