MPI alleges wines were ‘switched’
Allegations that a North Canterbury winery used different wines from the ones specified to fill orders it was sending out, have been made as the taking of evidence begins in a four-week fraud trial....
View ArticlePassport charge involving ‘unruly tourist’ dropped
Police have dropped a passport charge that involved “unruly tourist” James Nolan escaping New Zealand on a false passport. In the Christchurch District Court today police withdrew the charge that...
View ArticleUp to $4m of synthetic cannabis found, Crown alleges
A group operating from a Sockburn dairy was dealing in “vast quantities” of synthetic cannabis, the Crown alleged as a six week trial began in the Christchurch District Court. When their 13-month...
View ArticleTeen who planned attack admits absconding
A teen who once planned an ISIS-style terrorist attack in Christchurch has assured people they are safe even after he absconded from the supervised accommodation where he is GPS monitored. “I can...
View ArticleSynthetics jury told it must set aside prejudices
A jury has been told it must set aside sympathy and prejudice and keep an open mind as it begins hearing evidence in a six-week synthetic cannabis dealing trial at the Christchurch District Court....
View ArticleJailed abuser offers $10,000 reparations
A 70-year-old businessman sentenced to three years’ prison for sexually violating a 14-year-old will pay $10,000 emotional harm reparation into a trust for her. Martin Leslie O’Neill was sentenced on a...
View ArticleThief says she took off on mission of mercy
Determined thief Donna Reta Mareraki admits it was “the dumbest decision of my life” to cut off her electronic bail bracelet and go on the run, but she claims it was a mission of mercy. Mareraki, 33,...
View ArticleEight face illegal fishing charges
Eight people have been charged with fishing illegally in the Akaroa and Pohatu Marine Reserves over the summer. Their cases were all listed for first appearances at the Christchurch District Court...
View ArticleMother-of-three’s $176,000 benefit fraud
A Papanui mother-of-three who lied about being in a relationship for nine years has now admitted benefit fraud charges totalling $176,677. The Ministry of Social Development is not seeking reparations...
View ArticleCoast man facing 14 historic sex charges
Name suppression has lifted on a West Coast man facing 14 historic sex charges. Andrew Laurie Drew faces nine rape allegations and has been remanded to a pre-trial call-over on August 16. He has had...
View ArticleCouple admits receiving tour group’s belongings
A couple have admitted receiving the contents of a Chinese tourist group’s trailer – towed away in a brazen daylight theft while the visitors dined at a Christchurch restaurant. The Christchurch...
View ArticleBail not sought for robbery accused
No bail application was made for a 31-year-old man charged with a series of Christchurch robberies, when he appeared by video-link in the Christchurch District Court today. Lennon Donald Auckram, of...
View ArticleElectronic bail refused for bomb accused
A man allegedly found with improvised bombs, ammunition, and knives in an incident that closed part of Phillipstown on April 30, was denied electronically monitored bail at a hearing in the...
View ArticleSuppression lifts on grave plaque thief
Name suppression has lifted on a Christchurch woman who pleaded guilty last month to stealing 37 war veteran plaques from Springston Cemetery. The woman, Gail Maree Wickes, has also now admitted...
View ArticleIndefinite jail term after offending spanning 30 years
A West Coast man with a history of sex offending spanning 30 years has been jailed under an open-ended preventive detention sentence, in the High Court at Christchurch. Gary Leonard Jones, now aged 64,...
View ArticleRape victim tells of suicide attempt
A woman has told of a suicide attempt in the aftermath of a sex attack by 23-year-old Micah James Morgan Harris, who was jailed at the Christchurch District Court today. The woman was aged 19 when she...
View ArticleCounterfeit banknote arrests
Two men charged with unlawful possession of counterfeit banknotes have made appearances in the Christchurch District Court. The pair – both from out of Christchurch – were alleged to have offended in...
View ArticleMosque shooting trial set for May 2020
Alleged mosque shooter Brenton Harrison Tarrant has denied all 92 charges arising from the March 15 attacks at two Christchurch mosques. Appearing by video-link from prison in Auckland, the 28-year-old...
View ArticleOffensive behaviour towards mosque families alleged
A 33-year-old man charged with confronting some of the victims and families of people who were at the Christchurch Court House for the appearance of the alleged Mosque attacker has been released on...
View ArticleGuilty pleas end synthetics trial
Guilty pleas on day eight have brought an early end to a trial of three people involved in a $4 million synthetic cannabis dealing ring. The Christchurch District Court trial before Judge Stephen...
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