Man admits causing wife's death at rally

A man admitted careless driving causing the death of his wife at a motorcycle rally when he appeared in the Alexandra District Court yesterday.

Murray David Anderson, 42, self-employed, was supported by family and friends when he appeared before Judge Dominic Flatley.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Ian Collin, in a summary of facts, said Anderson passed his learner's motorcycle licence on March 29 last year , with conditions not to ride a motorcycle greater than 250cc, no pillion passengers, and at speeds no greater than 70kmh.

On September 5, Anderson borrowed an 1100cc Yamaha and with wife Natalie as a pillion passenger rode State Highway 6 through an area known as The Neck between Wanaka and Hawea.

The bike lost traction and slid into a water table, causing his wife to hit a rock bluff and suffer a head injury after her helmet was torn from her head.

Anderson told police that as he rounded one of the bends the bike's footpeg hit the ground and caused the crash.

Judge Flatley remanded him at large until May 5 for sentencing, saying: "I cannot begin to imagine the impact this has had on you and your family."

Sentencing options include a maximum $4500 fine, three months' jail and six months' disqualification.

Assault
Solo mother Cara Ngawai Ashwell, 18, was sentenced to 300 hours' community work, 12 months' supervision and ordered to undertake a parenting programme after she and two other people assaulted a woman.

Ashwell lured the victim to Dunstan High School before she and two others attacked her, pushed her to the ground and kicked her up to 10 times.

They then took her bag and divided the contents between themselves before continuing to kick and punch the victim.

A restorative justice meeting had resulted in the victim being willing to forgive them and continue their friendship.

Theft
Tarryn Emma Brown, 25, who between September 3, 2007, and December 4, 2009, took more than $3400 from Vehicle Testing New Zealand in Alexandra, was sentenced to 200 hours' community work and ordered to repay the money.

Alan Francis Gallagher, 48, sickness beneficiary, of Cromwell, theft of a hot-water cylinder at Wanaka, sentenced to 75 hours' community work and ordered to pay $500 reparation.

Robert James Gosney, 56, of no fixed abode, theft of wine and sandwiches from Alexandra New World three times, fined $250 on each charge and ordered to pay reparation of $36.40.

Lani Te Wetinirori Tumai, 17, farm worker, of Roxburgh, theft of an Apple 4GB iPod at Roxburgh, fined $800.

Breach of liquor ban
Neil Andrew Simmons, 24, driller, breach of the liquor ban and offensive behaviour in Alexandra, fined $300 on each charge.

Intentional damage
Hamish George McKinlay, 19, labourer, of Cromwell, two charges of intentional damage of a telephone box in Cromwell, sentenced to 60 hours' community work on each charge and ordered to pay $449.99 reparation.

Sam Reading, 22, driver operator, of Roxburgh, intentional damage of a window at Roxburgh, fined $500 and ordered to pay $349 reparation. As part of the same incident Sean Aaron Michelle, 19, of Lake Roxburgh Village, was also fined $500 and ordered to pay $349 reparation.

Drugs
Michael Grant, 39, workshop supervisor, of Cromwell, possession of four cannabis plants at Cromwell, sentenced to 75 hours' community work and 12 months' intensive supervision.

Refusing to accompany
Tania Joan Saxton, 26, farmer, of Haast, refusing to accompany a police officer when requested at Patearoa, convicted and ordered to come up if called within 12 months.

Assault
Daniel John O'Brien, 26, of Gore, two charges of assault at Ranfurly, sentenced to 130 hours' community work; on two charges of possession of cannabis, fined $1000.

Driving
Benjamin James Simmons, 27, unemployed, reckless use of a vehicle at Alexandra, sentenced to 75 hours' community work and disqualified from driving for six months.

Walter Akuhata Gardiner, 54, shearer, of Lawrence, careless use of a vehicle at Lawrence, fined $500

Drink-driving
William Charles White, 40, unemployed shearer, of Milton, had a "very poor and destructive attitude to drink-driving", according to Judge Flatley when he sentenced him on his 11th drink-driving conviction yesterday.

White recorded a breath alcohol level of 558mcg, and 19th driving while disqualified charge on December 20.

His lawyer Nicole Murphy argued that White "knew how to live in custody but not out of it" and asked for a rehabilitative sentencing.

White was sentenced to two years and eight months' jail and reminded that his indefinite disqualification still app-lied.

Dion Brendon Hamilton, 17, unemployed, of Cromwell, breath alcohol level of 469mcg at Cromwell. Fined $500 and disqualified for six months.

Taylor Adam Hill, 18, shepherd, of Drybread, blood alcohol level of 138mg at Omakau. Fined $750, and disqualified six months. For careless use of a vehicle on the same day, fined $500.

Riki Samuel Michelle, 19, shearer, of Lake Roxburgh, 38mg at Dumbarton, having been stopped after travelling at 136kmh, was fined $250 and disqualified for three months.

Logan John Mitchell, 19, unemployed, of Cromwell, breath alcohol 533mcg at Cromwell , sentenced to 150 hours' community work, disqualified 12 months.

- © Fairfax NZ News