The commercial appeal of methamphetamine was too strong for 19-year-old Anaura Rehu, who appeared in the Whakatāne District Court on Wednesday for sentencing on a charge of possession for supply.

Lawyer Steve Franklin said Rehu understood he was getting involved with a drug he shouldn’t – and he did not use it – but the commercial appeal for someone who did not have a lot of money was hard to resist.

A search warrant of the Whakatāne man’s property uncovered quantities of methamphetamine, several digital scales, snaplock bags and more than 1000 cash – all signs of commercial drug activity.

Judge Paul Geoghegan said in many respects, the offending had the hallmarks of youth impulsiveness – a desire to get rich quick, but at others’ expense.

“It might seem like an attractive way to make money, but it is a way of making money that destroys other people.”

He said Rehu had gang affiliattions within his whānau and he had no doubt this contributed to his dealing but, to his credit, he had accepted responsibility.

“I suspect that you might have been operating at the direction of others, but I have no information on that,” Judge Geoghegan said.

A sentence of 14.5 months in prison was converted to home detention for seven months.

Threats a ‘blip in the road’

A Kawerau man who threatened to chop off the heads of his wife and son could offer no explanation of why a man his age was regularly using cannabis and methamphetamine.

Derek Sonny Peri, 45, appeared for sentence on charges of threatening to kill and breaching a protection order.

His lawyer, Steve Franklin, said Peri was embarrassed and ashamed of his actions.

“He can’t really explain his actions on the day and why he presented himself like this.

“He wasn’t intending the threats the way they were said.”

Franklin said Peri had been using cannabis and methamphetamine in the lead up to the offending, but not for a few days prior, and may have been suffering from withdrawal.

When asked by Judge Geoghegan how long he had been using meth, Peri said “not long”.

When asked why; what prompted him to do that?, he said he had no excuse.

“It’s just a habit I got involved in. It’s not something I’m going to go back to – it’s not a good drug.”

Judge Geoghegan had a stronger response to methamphetamine, saying, “It’s just ripping the guts out of our communities and everyone that takes it is contributing to that,” he said.

In sentencing Peri to intensive supervision and 100 hours of community work, the judge noted how terrifying it must have been for his wife to be woken at 4am and told he was going to chop of their heads, even though she understood it was not his normal behaviour.

She told the court it was a “blip in the road” for them and Peri was remorseful.

EM bail granted

Phaeton Irihapeti Taumata has been granted electronically monitored bail after pleading guilty to five counts of shoplifting.

The charges relate to the theft of goods ranging from clothing to tools, valued at between $70 and $1500.

Police withdrew three charges of shoplifting from supermarkets.

In granting the 34-year-old Rūātoki woman bail, Judge Geoghegan acknowledged an earlier diagnosis of kleptomania and the need for her to be at home to care for her children.

“It is a tragedy for these children that at the moment, both of their parents are in prison,” he said.

“These children are entitled to a much better life than this.”

He made a plea for Taumata to turn her life around.

“I’m not suggesting it’s easy – it’s not – but you are their mother and they are entitled to get care and support from their mother.”

Alleged bomb threat

A Poroporo man is accused of threatening to plant a bomb at the Corrections office on Commerce Street.

Kenneth William Smith, 34, is charged with making the threat on May 27.

He also faces charges of possessing cannabis, possessing methamphetamine and possessing three bongs.

He was remanded without plea on all charges and bailed to appear on June 24.

Breach after unusual knock

Kawerau man Cameron Howard appeared in court after being arrested for breaching his bail by not answering the door to police.

The court heard that he was at home and heard the knock but it was not the usual “stern rap on the door” that police usually announced themselves with. It was softer, more like some local kids playing at the door.

It was the first bail breach for Howard, 38, who is before the courts for sexual offending and has strict bail conditions including a curfew and must not leave Kawerau.

He asked for the curfew condition to be removed but Judge Geoghegan remanded him on his current terms of bail to a further case revew hearing on June 26, advising that a formal application could be made then to remove the condition.

Bail granted/charges amended

A man has been granted bail after his lawyer highlighted that more time in custody might exceed the sentence he would eventually receive on the charges.

Aubrey Wineera faces two charges of wilful damage that he has pleaded guilty to, and charges of failing to stop and dangerous driving that he has pleaded not guilty to.

A charge of burglary was withdrawn by police.

He originally also faced two charges of assault with a blunt instrument. One was withdrawn by police and the other was amended to reckless driving, which he has pleaded not guilty to.

In granting Wineera bail, Judge Geoghegan acknowledged the 60 days he had already spent in custody on remand and the impact of any further time in custody.

But he warned that if Wineera breached bail, he would find himself “sitting in the same seat” in prison on remand.

He was remanded on bail to July 24 for case review on the charges he has pleaded not guilty to.

New charges

Samson Jack Lolohea, 54, of Kawerau has pleaded not guilty to four new charges of threatening to kill, obstruction, breach of a protection order and wilful damage.

These come on top of charges of assault, being found in a building withouth reasonable cause, another breach of a protection order and intentional damage.

A date of October 9 has been set for a judge alone trial.

Lolohea has pleaded guilty to charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of utensils for smoking methamphetamine.

Drunken act

A man has been sentenced to 80 hours’ community work after admitting performing an indecent act and disorderly behaviour.

Karamvir was said to have been “exceedingly drunk” at the time of the incident, which occurred at a pub.

“This sort of behaviour is going to get you in the way of you remaining in this country because we don’t need it,” Judge Geoghegan said.

Animal ill-treatment

Hardin Wharepapa has pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences and illtreating and animal and will be sentenced on July 31.