8 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Thursday <strong>January</strong> <strong>26</strong> <strong>2023</strong> Beckenham Loop
• By Emily Moorhouse A 14-YEAR-OLD boy involved in a six-month-long crime spree, some of which he posted on social media, says he misses school and the sports he’s now banned from playing. <strong>The</strong> boy appeared at the Christchurch Youth Court last week where he was sentenced on 84 charges which related to stealing vehicles, assaulting people and aggravated robbery. <strong>The</strong> court heard a pattern of the boy’s offending usually involved him and associates stealing people’s cars, driving dangerously while failing to stop for police and kicking and punching members of the public. “I think you like to think you’re older and tougher than you are. You are a little boy,” Judge Jane McMeeken told him. Judge McMeeken highlighted the role that social media and peer pressure play, particularly with young offenders. “You need to understand none of it’s real. Driving fast cars, that’s a tiny part of your life, the rest you’re in a police cell missing your family.” <strong>The</strong> judge said if she read out all the victim impact statements from the boy’s offending, she would be reading for an hour which wouldn’t be helpful. However, she said one victim has a medical condition, causing them to suffer from pain and anxiety and had spent three years working to pay off their car, which was stolen by the boy. <strong>The</strong> victim was planning to complete an education course this year but now can’t afford it as they have to borrow money for their car. “Please stop and consider how badly you are impacting others with what you are doing,” the victim’s statement said. <strong>The</strong> boy’s lawyer said that he loves his education and that his Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Teen sentenced on 84 charges • By Emily Moorhouse TWELVE YEARS ago, Trudie Knight was co-running a successful business, was a good mother to her son and stepkids and was considered a good worker. On Tuesday, she was sentenced to 12 months home detention at a residential facility, after her marriage broke down and she got caught up in a world of drugs and firearms. Knight appeared at the district court where Judge Tom Gilbert wished her luck for staying off the meth as she left the dock to begin her sentence. <strong>The</strong> court heard how Knight had issues with drug use in the past but had remained offence free for 13 or so years while she was married. However, following the end of Knight’s marriage, her life became “derailed” as she slipped back to her old ways with a methamphetamine relapse. This was worsened by Knight getting into a relationship with her meth dealer. According to the summary of facts Knight was pulled over by school was willing to welcome him back and provide the support he needs. <strong>The</strong> court also heard of the boy being banned from sports he loves as a consequence of his actions. His lawyer said the boy started off as a follower of the offending but quickly became the leader, egged on by peer pressure and comments on social media. However, his lawyer said he expressed regret and empathy for his victims and had been doing well in custody. police in August 2021 for driving without her lights on. What police didn’t initially know was that Knight was suspended for driving, had meth in her bra and purse, a pistol in the vehicle’s rear seat pocket, and a loaded shotgun wrapped in a shirt – all of which she admitted voluntarily. A few weeks later, in October 2021, police completed a raid of her flat which led to five people getting arrested. Police found meth, meth pipes, multiple firearms and ammunition, cannabis plants and cannabis pipes, “This is a young man that’s got potential, it is critical that potential isn’t wasted.” His lawyer also highlighted the boy’s unwavering support from his family as both his parents and step-parents were present in court. <strong>The</strong> judge agreed and said in Youth Court they don’t usually see a mum and dad, let alone step-parents taking time out of their lives to come and support offenders. <strong>The</strong> boy hadn’t seen much of his family and was only allowed a 30-minute visit with them on Christmas day. Police pushed for a supervision with a residence sentence of six months, however, the boy’s lawyer encouraged the judge to reduce that to four months so the boy could start school at the beginning of term two. Judge McMeeken agreed it would be good for the boy, who had been anxious about missing out on school to get back to his education. But she warned the boy that he needs to put in work to change his ways. “We can’t punish you to be good,” she said. Judge McMeeken imposed a supervision with residence sentence of four months followed by a six-month supervision order. some of which Knight said belonged to her. Knight’s phone was searched, leading to additional charges of supplying and offering to supply meth to others, an estimated total of 13.5 grams worth. Judge Gilbert said Knight had shown good work skills and ethic and her outlook was positive if she can stay away from meth. He warned Knight of the seriousness of her offending, particularly the dangers of having loaded firearms and supplying meth into the community. Thursday <strong>January</strong> <strong>26</strong> <strong>2023</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> NEWS 9 Merivale man sent to prison for possessing child porn A MAN found to be possessing more than 1000 child sexual abuse publications has been sentenced to prison. <strong>The</strong> 59-year-old was arrested at his Merivale home in October 2021, after Customs received a referral from overseas authorities that he had been uploading objectionable material to a social media platform and cloud storage site. Customs said a forensic examination of the man’s two phones found at least 1056 objectionable publications depicting child sexual abuse. He was sentenced to four years and one month in prison at the district court on Tuesday. Child Exploitation Operations Team chief customs office Simon Peterson said child sexual abuse was taken very seriously. “This sort of crime is not limited by international borders – and nor are we.” Objectionable publications are prohibited imports and exports under the Customs and Excise Act 2018. <strong>The</strong> maximum penalty is 10 years’ imprisonment. – RNZ Drug use spirals after marriage breakdown “That’s how people die,” he told her. He gave Knight an end sentence of 12 months home detention after discounts for her remorse, guilty pleas and efforts to get clean. She will have six months of post-detention conditions and will be suspended from driving for six months. This report was produced by Open Justice – Te Pātītī, a Public Interest Journalism initiative funded by NZ on Air Te Puna Wai o Waipapa Hagley Senior College ENROLMENT DAY Tue | 31st <strong>January</strong> | <strong>2023</strong> 9.00am - 4.00pm <strong>2023</strong> Year 12 & 13 Programmes Pre-Professional Programmes Student Centre, Cnr St Asaph & Hagley Ave
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