Man admits beating up sex shop owner

A 33-year-old man is facing a raft of charges from incidents between May 5 and June 15, including assaulting a sex shop owner, holding a man at knifepoint, and abusing people near Palmerston North Hospital.

Justin Karatiana, 33, unemployed, appeared in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday facing two charges of wilful damage, one charge each of disorderly behaviour, possession of a weapon, and assault with intent to injure. On November 18 he pleaded guilty to all five charges.

About 9.15pm on May 5, Karatiana was outside Palmerston North Hospital's accident and emergency department, intoxicated and hurling abuse at people, the police summary of facts said. He then walked toward a vehicle, picked up a rock and threw it at the car, smashing a window. He continued to yell abuse at people going in and out of the hospital, until he sat down by a fence where police found him.

On June 6, about 6pm, Karatiana was trying to sleep in his room – which was at the Salvation Army boarding house in Palmerston North – when he became upset at the noise of someone playing pool downstairs.

He went out on to the balcony of the first floor and muttered threats under his breath to the person playing pool. That person, who was downstairs, said "if you have a problem with me, come down and we'll discuss it".

So, Karatiana went to his kitchen, took out a large serrated knife from a drawer, and made his way downstairs. He then held the knife up to the victim's throat and, after holding it there for a few seconds, he said "if you don't shut up, I'll shut you up".

Karatiana told police he was upset because he was trying to sleep, and he could hear the victim making fun of him.

About a week later, Karatiana was at Barbarella's Store – a sex shop – on King St in Palmerston North , where he demanded a refund for a purchase he had made. The owner of the store – the only person working at the time – refused the refund and Karatiana became aggressive and was asked to leave.

When he didn't leave, the store owner called police. Karatiana then walked out of the store and down the street. The owner walked out of the store – still on the phone – and when Karatiana saw her, he ran back towards her and punched her in the head.

He grabbed her by her hair and dragged her on to the footpath, throwing her to the ground. He punched and kicked her repeatedly until a member of the public intervened. He then picked up the phone she had been using to call police, and smashed it on the ground.

Insistent on representing himself in court, Karatiana was told by Judge Gregory Ross the charges he faced were serious and he needed a lawyer.

Judge Ross said Karatiana's "disability and difficulties" would make it hard for him to represent himself, and that he should seek advice before returning to court next week.

- © Fairfax NZ News