Crimeline: Assaults, drugs and drink drivers
Vicious assault at casino
A 33-year-old local man has been remanded on bail until 30 June after a vicious assault at Sky City Casino during which a man was allegedly charged at from behind, shoved into a desk then had a number of uppercut punches and knees delivered to his head.
Constable Amanda Shute says the alleged offender then grappled the victim to the ground and picked up a metal bollard and threw it at him during the Saturday night assault at 11.30pm. An associate of the offender has then held the victim on the ground until Police arrived, she says.
The alleged offender was charged with assault with intent to injure and assaulting a person with a blunt instrument.
Shute says the alleged offender had previously allegedly had a dispute with the victim earlier in the evening and noticed him at the casino. He appeared in court on Monday (19 May).
Bar security guard assaulted
A 24-year-old local man faces charges of assaulting a security guard, resisting Police and disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence after he was refused entry to a bar in the Mall due to intoxication at 12.15am yesterday (21 May). Shute says he continued to loiter around outside the bar attempting to re-enter a number of times. He was restrained by security and Police were called, the man allegedly kicking the security guard while on the ground.
Routine stop nets drugs and paraphernalia
A 48-year-old Oamaru man has been charged with drug offences after a knife handle was observed in a vehicle stopped on Kingston Road during a routine traffic stop just before 10am on Saturday, 17 May. Constable Amanda Shute says while searching the vehicle Police allegedly found a glass methamphetamine pipe, 1 gram of methamphetamine, syringes, empty point bags and scales. The man was charged with of possession of a knife in a public place, possessing and using utensils for methamphetamine and amphetamine and procuring and possessing methamphetamine and appeared in the Queenstown District Court on 19 May.
Woman drink driver hits 1300mcg
Police are “extremely concerned” that a 23-year-old Queenstown woman blew 1300mcg after she was spotted by Police stopping her vehicle in the middle of her lane on Malaghans Road just after midnight on Saturday, 17 May.
She had her licence suspended for 28 days and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 6 June.
Otago Lakes Road Policing Sergeant Bruce Martin says it’s extremely concerning that somebody that impaired was driving on our roads and thankfully she has been removed from them. Police have taken some very high readings locally recently which Martin says is always concerning. “When you look at some of the distances at higher speeds on our open roads it’s a recipe for disaster,” he says.
“It’s just disappointing that a woman with such a high breath alcohol content put herself and others at risk.”
A 31-year-old local man blew 805mcg after his erratic driving caught Police attention on Frankton Road at 12.20am on Sunday, 18 May. Shute says the vehicle hit a curb causing the man to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. He was charged and had his licence suspended for 28 days.
Winter safety warning
With the weather cooling and frosts arriving Roading Police are also urging motorists in the region to defrost their cars before they hit the road and check their tyres are in good condition. “Drive to the conditions and take precautions by slowing down,” Bruce Martin says. “Don’t put others and yourself at risk and check daily road conditions before setting out.”
