Two a penny

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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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A memorial book for victims of the Mt Erebus air disaster in 1979 has been brazenly stolen from an Auckland church.

The book was taken yesterday afternoon from St Matthew In The City, in downtown Auckland, by a male wearing a cap.20pm, but it’s hard to identify the offender.
Church spokesman Clay Nelson told tonight the book was inside a glass case, which it appears was not locked, below the Erebus memorial windows at the church,
“We have security camera footage of it being taken about 12.
The leather-bound book contains the names of all the victims in calligraphic writing.”
The book was put together for a memorial service for the 257 people who lost their lives in the Air New Zealand plane crash on Mt Erebus, Antarctica on November 28, 1979. He said he was not too hopeful it would be returned.
Mr Nelson said the book had no value to the offender.
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An inquest into the death of a loader driver on a Taranaki farm has been adjourned after the coroner took the unusual step of urging the Department of Labour to reconsider laying charges.

The inquest into the death of Paul Edwin Orin Robinson, 36, of Tapawera, 58km south-west of Nelson, was due to be heard in the New Plymouth Coroner’s Court yesterday.

She told the court she was “surprised” no charges had been laid by the department and put Mr Robinson’s former employers, Nelson-based South Pacific Movements Ltd, as well as the owners of the land where the fatal accident happened “on notice” that they might need to take legal advice. .

Forestry workers jumped into the water in an unsuccessful attempt to save their trapped colleague.

Mr Robinson died after his machine tumbled off a farm bridge and into the Mohakatino River, near Mokau, in June last year.

Ms Nagara said she was not prepared to proceed with the inquest, given the amount of evidence she had in front of her, and was concerned that proceeding with the hearing could prejudice the case.

Farm owner Ben Hutchinson was cleared in December of any blame, following an investigation by the Department of Labour, while no charges were laid against South Pacific Movements Ltd.

“The features of this case are such that I’m surprised that charges were not laid.

“I don’t consider I would do Paul any justice if I was to rush it [inquest] through,” she said.

Mrs Gichard then asked if the coroner had fresh evidence that the department was not in possession of.”

Department of Labour health and safety inspector Gail Gichard responded in court by telling the coroner that the case had been extensively peer reviewed before the decision not to lay charges was made.

“My concern is very much to do justice to Paul and get to the bottom of what happened,” she said, before adding that it was a difficult decision to adjourn the case, knowing that a number of Mr Robinson’s family had travelled from Nelson.

Ms Nagara responded that she was not prepared to discuss that in open court.

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Mrs Robinson said she did not want to comment on the coroner’s decision until after the case was closed.

Barbara Robinson, Paul’s mother, said after the adjournment that she “just wanted closure” to the case.

“The next step will be to discuss a number of issues with the coroner, and that’s pretty much as far as I can go,” he said.

Department of Labour Taranaki manager Brett Murray was also reluctant to talk about the decision.”

South Pacific Movements Ltd director Anthony Bamford, of Nelson, was not available for comment. “I don’t really want to say any more until I’ve discussed it with her.

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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.

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Listening in on progress of pregnancy

Monday, 19 January 2009

/The
ULTRA CAREFUL: Mum-to-be Bronwyn Gregory-Hunt has concerns about ultrasound, so is keen to try this wide belt that listens to foetal heartbeat.

AKiwi researcher has devised a non-invasive way to measure foetal heartbeats that could provide an alternative to ultrasound.
The infant's heartbeat is then isolated from the mother's and from background noise using a technique called blind source separation.
The device uses sophisticated microphones embedded in a wide belt to listen for both the mother and the unborn baby's heartbeats.
"This is more like using the Pinard, the foetal stethoscope that midwives used before the invention of ultrasound, but it's much more reliable and easy to use.
The new system, tentatively called Pam (passive acoustic monitoring), was less invasive than ultrasound, said Dr Paul Teal of Victoria University.
"Many midwives report that babies aren't too keen on it either."
He said most clinicians believed ultrasound was safe, but anecdotal evidence suggested that many mothers did not like it, because it put energy into their bodies. Concerns over ultrasound meant that she did not have scans unless they were deemed necessary by her midwife."
Mum-to-be Bronwyn Gregory-Hunt said she would be keen to use the device."
Dr Teal is working with Wellington midwives to collect data from mothers using a prototype Pam device.
"They call it ultrasound but I'm not sure how ultra it is for the baby.
"Ultrasound can work from about 12 to 14 weeks, but the important stages are later in the pregnancy," he said.
It is hoped Pam will be able to detect an unborn baby's heartbeat from 18 weeks.
Wellington midwife Suzanne Miller said the prototype was hard to use compared to ultrasound because it was not hand-held.
The heartbeat of an unborn baby can give clues to its health and be monitored during birth."
She said many pregnant women would welcome the chance to avoid ultrasound. .We tend to use it as little as possible. "It's never been proven to be a danger, but it's never been disproved either."

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Kicking off the New Year with a baby

By CHARLIE GATES – Friday, 02 January 2009

KIRK HARGREAVES/
BUNDLE OF JOY: Rachael and John Creighton with their new son, John, who was Christchurch’s first baby of 2009.

"Everyone was having celebrations and she was having contractions."
That was how John Creighton described the New Year's Eve experienced by his wife, Rachael. He weighed in at a healthy 3.
John Creighton, named after his father, arrived three hours and 27 minutes into 2009 to become the first Canterbury baby of the year.
His Christchurch parents were enjoying a quiet evening watching a DVD when Rachael started contractions about 10.74kg.30pm. However, heavy midnight telephone traffic meant they could not get through until the third attempt.
At the turn of the year, the couple were trying to contact their midwife on her cellphone.
"We were pretty early; there were not many texts back that early," Rachael said.
Friends and relatives were told about the new arrival by text message early on New Year's Day, but many had not yet surfaced from celebrations to receive the exciting news.
"I am really tired, but feel really good," Rachael said. .
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.07am.
That honour fell to Max Arthur Honey, born at North Shore Hospital in Auckland at 12.12am. Max narrowly beat a baby boy born to Wanaka woman Nicky Meissel in Dunedin Hospital at 12. Jenna Stephenson also came into the world at 12.
Half an hour later, Queenstown resident Natasha Caine gave birth to a son at Invercargill's Southland Hospital.

.42am, in Waikato Hospital

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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