Hine smashed the driver’s side window of the victim’s 2006 Chrysler, valued at $15,000, but the alarm went off. After getting the bonnet open Hine was trying to disconnect the battery to stop the alarm when the victim appeared and asked what he was doing. Hine brandished a black steel bar and demanded the keys before charging at the victim and punching him in the left eye. The force of the impact caused the victim to fall backwards through a glass panel in a sliding door. Hine then punched the victim in the ribs while he was curled up in the foetal position on the ground.
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Terrence Riddle was in prison at the time police claim he committed an aggravated robbery, his lawyer told the court. (file photo)
Taranaki police have been given time to make enquiries to solve the riddle of how a criminal was able to allegedly commit a crime while behind bars. Terrence Riddle appeared before Judge Gregory Hikaka in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday facing two charges. The first charge, breaching his release conditions, stemmed from November 11 when a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was apprehended on January 5 after he failed to outrun two police detectives on foot.
Troels Sommerville/Stuff
Abraham Sovea, 22, outside Manukau District Court. A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday. (file photo)
A driver who indicated he would plead guilty to causing a fatal crash which killed a Taranaki motorcyclist has again had a warrant issued for his arrest. Abraham Sovea, of Manukau, is charged with dangerous driving causing death and being an unlicensed driver after a Waitangi Day 2020 crash on State Highway 3, near Mōkau, that resulted in the death of motorcyclist Chris McKay. Sovea was due to appear before Judge Gregory Hikaka in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday but failed to appear for a second time and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
One person, whom Driver picked up as they walked home, told her they had been quoted $130 for a ride from Brooklands Rd to Barrett Rd, a fare that would cost Driver’s passengers $25. Another person reported catching a taxi to the venue for $20, but on their return along the same route, with a different taxi, the fare had increased to $50. Driver said the same group of “rogue taxis” appeared during Womad last year, but otherwise were never seen on the roads by local drivers. Driver said she wanted to look at taking the matter further. “They’re giving us a bad name,” she said.