Two a penny

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Two teenagers have pleaded guilty to bashing to death a New Zealand man at a Sydney sporting oval.

The offenders, who were 16 at the time of the man’s death in 2007, were originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the NSW Supreme Court.

A court had previously been told Christopher Leichester, 20, was on his way to a party in Woolooware in Sydney’s south on November 24, 2007.

According to a police statement of facts, Mr Leichester suffered a severed artery between his brain and central nervous system.

As the New Zealander crossed an oval he was set upon by a group of teenage boys who punched him to the ground and kicked him several times in the head.

Court documents revealed the attack appeared to have occurred because the teenagers mistakenly believed Mr Leichester had abused them a short time earlier. .

But a witness told police it was two other men who chased and hurled abuse at the teenagers’ car.

– AAP

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Both youths remain in custody

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The death of a forestry worker in the Waikato tonight is the second workplace death in the area in 24 hours, police say.

Te Kuiti sub-area manager Senior Sergeant Rob Van Kalken said police and ambulance staff were making their way to a remote location in the Rangitoto Ranges, east of Te Kuiti, after reports of a forestry worker being killed about 5pm.Mr Van Kalken said police hoped once preliminary investigations were completed the body could be taken back to Te Kuiti and identified.There was little radio and cellphone coverage in the area and police were attempting to establish what had happened.A contractor working on a sewage line replacement was killed about 24 hours earlier after the trench he was working in collapsed.The dead worker’s name would not be released until next-of-kin had been notified. .Piopio father of three Mark Williams, 43, was digging a trench with colleagues on Williams Street, Te Kuiti, when the trench suddenly collapsed, burying him chest-deep in dirt about 5pm.Mr Van Kalken urged workers in the area to ensure their safety while working.Department of Labour inspectors were at the trench site today carrying out an investigation.”Obviously these incidents are unrelated, however we don’t want to be facing any similar tragedies and we’re asking people to ensure safety is their number one priority.”

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A morbidly obese fraudster who argues he needs specialised medical treatment that can’t be provided in prison has lost his bid to be freed while he awaits further court action.

Max Heslehurst, who has been reported as weighing close toly 200kg, was earlier this year found guilty on 41 counts of fraud and sentenced to three years and nine months in prison a term partly reduced as a result of his obesity-related health problems.

But Heslehurst widely known as Mad Max or Fat Max has appealed the convictions, saying a note outlining one or more of his previous convictions was mistakenly handed to the jury. . He applied for permission to await the appeal’s outcome at home.

It was reported at the time of his sentencing in May that his obesity meant other prisoners had to help with his personal hygiene when he used the toilet.

Heslehurst had been found guilty by a South Auckland jury of fleecing at least 30 victims across the North Island of $344,000.

Meyrick told the Sunday Star-Times he would not appeal Heslehurst’s failed bail application to the Supreme Court, but his client’s condition meant he was “degraded” in the prison setting.

Heslehurst reportedly duped his victims including a solo mother, a dentist, a racedog trainer and a group of Hamilton bankers by offering to sell them cars or televisions for bargain prices. He did not believe the Corrections Department was equipped to care for prisoners like Heslehurst who effectively had a disability. But there were no televisions or cars.

He told one of his victims he could get seven wide-screen televisions cheaply because they had belonged to failed finance company Bridgecorp and were to be auctioned the next day. A treatment plan was in place which “covers all aspects of his healthcare needs and he has an appointment scheduled with a cardiovascular specialist at Auckland Hospital shortly”.

In opposing bail, counsel for the Crown said health workers were monitoring Heslehurst’s condition daily. There was also an emergency care plan to transport him to hospital if necessary. There was also an emergency care plan to transport him to hospital if necessary.

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She added that evidence from Corrections Department health bosses suggested Heslehurst’s health needs were not enough to “tip the scales” in favour of granting bail

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New car rescue method tested

Monday, 16 February 2009

Crash victims trapped in cars could have a better chance of survival, with the fire service testing a new method of pulling wrecks apart.
Five fire stations in Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Porirua areas with some of the highest front-impact-crash rates are involved in the trial.
It involves anchoring the wreck to a tree or truck before chains attached to the fire truck's hydraulic system pull away sections of the vehicle as its roof and door pillars are cut with the jaws of life.
Masterton station officer and trial coordinator Garry Nielsen said the rescue method was revolutionary.
A Masterton firefighter was sent to Norway last year to learn the new technique, which was tested in Wairarapa last week at a bad car crash. This is ground-breaking. "In the past, the techniques we have used could take up to an hour or more to free someone. We can have them out in 15 minutes. Every second is critical. For every 10 minutes someone is trapped, there is 10 per cent less chance of survival. ."
On Wednesday, Greytown firefighters used the chains to free a 74-year-old woman trapped in her car after it crashed into a bridge on Cape Palliser Rd close to Ngawi.

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If the trial is successful, it will be rolled out nationwide at a cost of about $500 per set of chains for each rescue fire-truck

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Murder accused Xue back in court

– Tuesday, 03 February 2009

The man accused of murdering his wife then dumping his daughter in a Melbourne railway station will be forced to give a dna blood sample in 10 days time.
Nai Yin Xue, 55, is in custody awaiting trial for the murder of his 27-year-old wife An An Liu in September 2007.
Xue went on the run in the United States for more than four months but was captured in February last year and returned to New Zealand.
Her body was found in the boot of the family car outside their rented house in Mt Roskill, Auckland, four days after he allegedly abandoned his daughter, Qian Xun Xue – dubbed Pumpkin by Australian police.
Xue did not oppose the order, which would be carried out on February 13.
He appeared in the High Court at Auckland yesterday after the Crown sought a suspect compulsion order that would force Xue to provide a dna blood sample. .
The Crown was also seeking permission to allow hearsay evidence on the state of Xue’s relationship with his wife, and to allow overseas witnesses to give evidence via video link.

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Shoppers not seeing fuel savings

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Cash-strapped consumers continue to pay premium prices for goods and services, despite tumbling fuel prices.
Fares for public transport, taxis and airlines have risen in the past year because of the cost of fuel, but an immediate cut has been ruled out now that prices are dipping.
The freight industry also says it cannot pass the fuel savings on because it has had to contend with other rising costs that have cancelled out the fuel decrease.
"We are very concerned with the situation and have voiced our disapproval to the industries.
But Consumer NZ says the excuses are not good enough and has called for the various industries to pass on the savings.
On Monday, petrol dropped to $1. It's not good enough and we will continue to keep an eye on things," chief executive Sue Chetwin said.43.17 a litre. It was the 16th consecutive price fall since July 17 when petrol cost about $2.21 is still much lower than its record high of $1. Diesel, however, has been slower to drop, but at $1.
Foodstuffs spokesman Steve Anderson said fuel costs were a main contributor to grocery prices but it was too soon to tell if the drop in fuel prices would result in cheaper food.92 reached in July. "We would need to see the fuel price become more stable before we consider dropping prices, but if that happens they could drop within the next two months. "We would need to see the fuel price become more stable before we consider dropping prices, but if that happens they could drop within the next two months.
"The fuel decrease has taken some pressure off the industry, but it needs to drop even further before we can even think about passing the savings on. It was also battling increasing wages and compliance costs, and the weak New Zealand dollar had pushed up the cost of importing vehicle parts."
Freight operators had been copping plenty of flak from customers since fuel started dropping because they expected the savings to be passed on immediately. It's not as simple as people think. It does cause some tension, but there's not a lot we can do.
"A lot of clients are under enormous pressure with the way the economy is and they're looking to make savings wherever they can. "The transport industry is quick to put prices up, so I hope they bring them down just as fast."
Retailers Association chief executive John Albertson said any gains retailers made from easing fuel costs would help reduce the stress on their bottom lines, rather than being passed on to customers. ..
The rising cost of diesel contributed toward bus, rail and ferry fares rising by an average 10.
The rising cost of diesel contributed toward bus, rail and ferry fares rising by an average 10.2 per cent in September. Greater Wellington regional council will review the fares till March, but it could bring another increase.
Spokeswoman Philippa Lagan said fares had to cover at least 50 per cent of the public transport costs. "Therefore, a fare increase could be triggered if it is found that fares are covering less than half of the cost of the services."
The cost of catching a cab has also crept gently up in the past two years, but the industry said it was unlikely fares would come down.
Wellington City Cabs increased its prices by 8 per cent in April, the first time since late 2006.
Arthur Attrill, former general manager of Wellington City Cabs – which is now in receivership – said that in close toly two decades in the taxi industry, he had never seen fares decrease and doubted he ever would.
Taxi companies were at the mercy of drivers over fare decreases because they paid for the petrol and other expenses.
There were also costs involved with reprinting fare schedules and regulatory processes, he said.

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Akld millionaire under citizenship microscope

Saturday, 22 November 2008

Auckland millionaire Yang Liu, wanted by Chinese authorities over alleged financial fraud, was granted New Zealand citizenship in August despite officials' advice to decline his application.
Mr Liu, who is being investigated in New Zealand for possible immigration fraud, did not meet the good character requirement of the Citizenship Act, Department of Internal Affairs officials told Shane Jones, the delegated Minister for Internal Affairs.7 million, using one of his companies.
Officials advised that Mr Liu was the subject of an Interpol notice for an arrest in China for allegedly committing serious financial fraud there totalling about $NZ2.
While officials clearly recommended that Mr Liu's application for citizenship be declined, Mr Jones ticked the option approving the grant of citizenship, and struck a line through the option to decline the grant.
It was alleged that Mr Liu had fraudulently obtained and used Chinese identity documents relating to another identity, including two false passports, according to documents released under the Official Information Act.
New Minister for Immigration Jonathan Coleman told that he had no comment on the matter, and was taking advice about it.
Mr Jones was not available for comment.
Mr Barker had been lobbied about the application by former Labour MP Dover Samuels, who considered Mr Liu a friend.
The minister, Rick Barker, had passed the matter to Mr Jones to avoid a perceived conflict of interest.
Mr Liu owned a Chinese restaurant in Auckland, and exported seafood through a joint venture with Talleys, Sealord and Sanford called Life Fish, Ms Wong said. Former Minister of Ethnic Affairs Chris Carter and National MP Pansy Wong had also supported Mr Liu's application for citizenship. He has given both Labour and National parties unsolicited donations of $5000.
Mr Liu had lived in New Zealand since December 2001, and applied for citizenship in 2005.
The immigration department is investigating his identity.
He claimed he was "stateless" because his Chinese passport and other identity documents had been seized after an Immigration New Zealand search warrant was executed.
Mr Liu was given the opportunity to explain about being wanted for arrest in China, and was given advice on how to resolve the matter by contacting Chinese authorities or going through the Chinese court system. If the investigation resulted in a prosecution, Mr Liu's residency could be revoked and his citizenship lost.
That explanation was not included in the documents.
He told officials there was a reasonable explanation for the difference between his identity as Yang Liu and the identity of Yong Ming Yan, who Chinese authorities considered him to be.
However, he had not provided any evidence.
Mr Liu rejected the allegations, and said he believed he was of good character and was working to develop trade and good relations between New Zealand and China.
"What is known is that Mr Liu remains wanted and subject to arrest in China, is unwilling to resolve the Interpol red notice matter .
"The Department is not in a position to know with any degree of certainty whether Mr Liu has committed offences in China as the issues have not been determined by the Chinese courts," Secretary for Internal Affairs Geoff May wrote to the minister in mid-July… is under active investigation by Immigration New Zealand and has allegedly obtained and used false identity documents."

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Woman found beaten in Mt Roskill home

– Tuesday, 18 November 2008

/Auckland Suburbans
CRIME SCENE: Police investigate the scene of a serious assault in a Whitmore Road property in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill.

An Asian couple was operating a business out of the Auckland house in which a woman was found unconscious and badly beaten.
Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the 46-year-old victim was found in her bedroom by her adult daughter last night.
The victim spent last night in intensive care in Auckland Hospital and is reported to be in stable but critical condition.
The woman's husband, who is in China on business, phoned his daughter after he was unable to contact his wife by phone last night, despite several attempts.
A sign outside the house says L & Lee International, while another on a deck railing advises visitors that power tools, locks and furniture are sold from the premises between 9.
Police have cordoned off a Whitmore Road property, and were examining it with the assistance of ESR forensic experts today.30am and 5.
Boxes could be seen stacked along the hallway of the house and in at least one of the bedrooms.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Neigbbour JD Simon said the woman was often seen walking up and down the road at nights, between about 8.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard any suspicious behaviour in the Whitmore Road area between mid afternoon on Sunday and 8pm last night. .30pm and 10pm.
"I'm sure if we did, one of us would have grabbed the phone.
"I'm sure if we did, one of us would have grabbed the phone

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Time in cells the only takings for bungling burglars

By LYN HUMPHREYS – Monday, 27 October 2008

Six bungling burglars are cooling their heels in New Plymouth police cells after three failed efforts within five hours at the weekend.
In two of the three burglaries, police say it was quick action by astute members of the public that stopped the offenders getting away.
Two of the six arrested were found to be on bail for other offences at the time.
During the arrest, police discovered one of the burglars, aged 18, was on electronic bail awaiting a court appearance on earlier charges, Acting Sergeant Royston Betteridge said.
In the first burglary, at 8pm on Saturday, police were contacted when two men were spotted taking a TV and other property out of a Frankleigh Park house and into the house next door."
And at 9. .40pm on Saturday, the Westown Food Market on the corner of Tukapa and David streets, was targeted in a smash and grab.
Thanks to information from the public, a police dog tracked them to a lower Westown house. The offenders threw a rock through the front door and helped themselves to cigarettes.
"If members of the public hadn't pointed us in the right direction they might not have been apprehended. Three youths aged between 14 and 17 were nabbed.
When searched, police discovered the pair had thousands of dollars of camera gear in their backpack, stolen 20 minutes before from a car."
In the third incident, two men, aged 18 and 19, were stopped by police in Devon St for breaching the liquor ban.
The pair had helped themselves to a camera, lenses and a navigational device.
The pair had helped themselves to a camera, lenses and a navigational device.

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Shortly after, police woke up the owner of the gear and returned it to him before he was even aware it had been filched