January 5, 2026
Warren Grant Lloyd, 75, was convicted and discharged for wilful trespass in the Ashburton Domain.
The Netherby man had been trespassed from the domain in January after complaints alleged he was “loitering around the public toilets and following people in.”
On December 10, Lloyd was spotted near the toilets again.
He told police he was “just taking a shortcut” while on his way to a church which he volunteers at.
“He’s an elderly man who lives alone,” lawyer Clare Yardley said, suggesting he got “lonely.”
Lloyd is trespassed from the domain for two years.
Testing a car
A Christchurch man was simply “testing” his new car out when police clocked him at a speed of 151 kilometes an hour.
Ian Kent Alejado Pabualan, 20, was lucky to not have received a worser charge, lawyer Clare Yardley said.
“The police officer didn’t charge him with dangerous speed,” she said.
He had been speeding through Summerton Road in Ashburton, and when questioned by police, he told then he want to “test the car”.
The Police Prosecutor said his speed was “right on that threshold of dangerous.”
“150km’s over the limit is one of those marginal calls.
“It would be appropriate to impose some kind of sanction on his licence.”
Magistrate Sally O’Brien noted Pabualan had three demerits for speeding already.
“He’s had previous demerits last year, three, for speeding.”
“You told the police you were aware of the speed limit, and you wanted to test the car - That is not how you test a car.
“You need to be very clear that if this type of speeding behaviour continues, you will be losing your licence."
Pabualan was convicted, fined $850 and ordered to undertake a defensive driving course.
“Start adulting”
A new father has been told he needs to grow up by a Magistrate.
Riley James Hamilton, 25, pleaded guilty to driving at 153 kilometres an hour in a 100 kilometre zone.
The Hampstead man was stopped heading north on state highway one around 7pm on a November night.
Hamilton was seen overtaking numerous vehicles on passing lanes, and had alcohol in his system when stopped by police.
“He accepts that his driving on this occasion is not at the standard that it should be,” lawyer Tiffany McRae said.’’
Magistrate O’Brien noted Hamilton had accrued four suspensions over seven years.
“You are now the father, I understand of a young baby,” she said, addressing Hamilton directly.
“It's time you started adulting.”
Hamilton was disqualified from driving for six months, ordered to pay a $550 fine and pay court costs.
Drink drive favour
A Hampstead man found himself in court after offering to drink drive for his friend.
Oliver-Jack Alexander Munro, 19, had been at a bar watching a rugby game with a group of people.
One friend realised they had left their idetification at home.
“The sober driver was playing pool, and one of his other friends didn’t have their ID,” lawyer Clare Yardley said.
So Munro decided to drive his friend home to retrive the ID.
He was caught in a traffic stop on the way over, where he blew a breath alcohol level of 569 micrograms.
“He just shouldn't have driven, and he’s put himself in a bit of jeopardy.”
Munro travels between Ireland and New Zealand for seasonal work, and a conviction could put his ability to continue that at risk.
“Its amazing what alcohol does to your ability to make decisions,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
“I fully expect that you have learnt your lesson, and won’t be back in court again.”
Munro receive a six month driving suspension, a $500 fine and was ordered to pay court costs.
Drink driving
Tinwald man Bailey James May, 19, pleaded guilty to driving with 803 micrograms of breath alcohol in his system - the legal limit is 250 micrograms.
Lawyer Clare Yardley said May had spent the night responsibly drinking.
“What is disappointing,” she said, “is that he walked home from where he’d been drinking, but then took his car out to go buy some cigarettes.
“He’s only 19, I doubt he’ll be back here.”
“Incredibly high reading,” Magistrate O’Brien said; “double the adult criminal limit.
“You won’t be able to drive with alcohol in your system for about four years.”
She fined May $400, ordered him to pay court costs and applied the alcohol interlock sentence.
He is disqualified from driving for 28 days, after which he has to apply for an interlock licence and get an interlock fitted to his car.
He must drive with that for a year, and then operate on a zero alcohol licence for a further three years.
No interlock
Sentencing confusion brought a Tinwald man back to the Ashburton Magistrates Court after four years.
Mile Moti Funaki, 47, pleaded guilty to driving contrary to an interlock licence.
He was sentenced to the interlock in 2021, but never got a device installed in his car.
Instead, Funaki’s wife has transported him around for the last four years.
Lawyer Gretchen Hart said the day he was caught on the road, his wife had “not been able to get away from work” and he took matters into his own hands.
“He is deeply regretful of the decision,” she said.
Hart also said there had been confusion about how the interlock provisions worked.
Those sentenced to an alcohol interlock licence are usually disqualified from driving for 28 days.
After that, they can apply for a device to get installed into their vehicle to prevent them from driving with alcohol in their system.
They must drive with the interlock for one year, and then on a zero-alcohol licence for three more years.
Hart said Funaki had wrongly assumed the sentence would void itself if he didn’t drive at all for several years.
She said Funaki sought to backdate the disqualification, to account for the years he’d spent away from the steering wheel.
“The defendant is the primary caregiver, and does really want to avail himself for use.”
Following the incident, Funaki had gone and gotten the interlock installed.
Magistrate O’Brien was prepared to deal with the matter in court that day.
“In my mind, this is more of a section 94 situation… in which case a community sentence would be imposed,” she said.
“Your affidavit indicates you are the primary caregiver for your four children, and you are reliant on your wife for the driving, but she works full time as well.
“I accept that it is not in the best interest of the public for you to be out of work or [unable] tohelp your children.
“You were sentenced four years ago, and should have resolved this issue by now.”
O’Brien sentenced Funaki to 50 hours of community work, and ordered him to pay court costs. No fine or further disqualification was applied.
Parked car crash
Lismore woman Shannan Anne Johnston, 19, pleaded guilty to drink driving with over the criminal limit of alcohol in her system.
She breath tested for 475 micrograms per litre of breath after crashing into a parked car on Alford Forest road.
Johnston was also on her restricted licence and out past the 10pm curfew.
“She was at a pub with friends,” lawyer Tiffany McRae said; “She was meant to be staying at a friend's house that evening.”
A situation at the pub arose and she made a decision to leave.
When police arrived, she admitted to them she had been drinking and was also using her phone while driving.
“The level of alcohol is at the low to moderate end - not for someone under 20 of course,” McRae said.
“She understands that the level of alcohol she was allowed was zero.”
“You should have had no alcohol in your system,” Magistrate O’Brien said, “and you probably shouldn’t have been driving at that time of night on your restricted.”
“You haven’t been acting responsibly or safely.”
O’Brien also noted that Johnston had received a number of regulatory infringements over this year.
She disqualified Johnston from driving for six months and ordered her to pay a fine.
Trucker’s drink driving
A trucker’s “problematic relationship” with alcohol has landed him in court a second time.
Jonathon Adam Barlow-Simpson, 28, pleaded guilty to driving with over double the legal limit of alcohol in his system while behind the wheel.
He had a breath alcohol reading of 704 micrograms when he was pulled over by police on Pendarves Rakaia road.
“You told the police you'd have four big bottles and three stubbies of beer,” Magistrate O’Brien read from the fact summary.
Lawyer Tiffany McRae said this would be Barlow-Simpson’s second conviction for drink driving.
“He accepts that he’s really misjudged the level of alcohol in his system,” she said.
“He has spoken with his employer, they are prepared to support him with a work licence.”
O’Brien told the man he needed “a bit of help with decision making”.
“It seems to me he might have a problematic relationship with alcohol.”
Barlow-Simpson was disqualified from driving for seven months, and ordered to pay a $1000 fine and court costs.
Traffic stop
Adam Roy Ohlson, 38, blew a breath alcohol level of 714 micrograms during a routine traffic stop.
He told the police he’d had “no more than six bourbons.”
It was the Valetta man’s second breath alcohol charge, though the first one happened over two decades ago.
“You’ve done really well; you’ve stayed out of the courts for 20 years,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
She told him to school up on the effects of alcohol, and how long it takes the body to process a standard drink.
He was disqualified from driving for seven months, and ordered to pay a $1000 fine and court costs.
“About 10 stubbies”
Lauriston man Rata Shoma Webb, 18, was caught drink driving with 693 micrograms of breath alcohol in his system.
“He was at a friend’s house for a birthday,” lawyer Tiffany McRae said.
He had intended to stay the night, but a situation arose and prompted him to leave.
He was stopped on Harrison Street in Ashburton at midnight, where he explained to police he had “about 10 stubbies”, the fact summary read.
“I’m not sure why you had your car at the party in the first place,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
“As an 18 year old, your permitted alcohol level is zero.
“I would hope that you won’t appear back in court after this.”
Webb was disqualified from driving for six months, and ordered to pay an $850 fine and court costs.
Not your finest hour
Ashburton man Jonathan Ben Wright, 44, called himself an “idiot” when police pulled him over for drink driving.
He pleaded guilty to producing a reading of 976 micrograms per litre of breath when tested.
“He had unfortunately lost his job,” lawyer Clare Yardley said, “and life wasn't looking too great, and he took to drinking.
“He drank earlier in the day, then went to the river with his dog and drank some more.”
An incident occurred and Wright was assaulted at the river “quite badly”.
And when pulled over by the police, he told them “in fairly colourful language hat he was an idiot,” Yardley said.
“This was not your finest hour,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
“It’s an extremely high reading.
“I can accept that this is out of character for you.”
Wright was fined $450 and court costs, and sentenced under the alcohol interlock provisions.
Disqualified driver
Marcus Matene Bishop, 24, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified.
Lawyer Gretchen Hart said the man had been managing the disqualification period well, and received rides to work.
“On this particular day, his ride fell through and he took his fathers car to work.”
He was caught in a traffic stop and admitted to police that he was disqualified.
“This is your fourth disqualification in a short amount of time,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
He was convicted and sentenced to 40 hours of community work.
His indefinite disqualification has been extended by a half-year.
Careless driving
Richard James Mercer, 61, appeared on a careless driving charge after a “freak accident”.
“He said to me that he put his foot on the brake, but it slipped onto the accelerator,” lawyer Clare Yardley said.
Mercer had attempted to park his car when he pressed the accelerator, swerving into the victim who went up the bonnet, and struck the windscreen with their head.
The victim suffered a concussion and a spinal compression fracture.
$250 was being sought for insurance excess.
Magistrate O’Brien agreed that this incident was an “accident” plain and simple.
She disqualified him from driving for six months and ordered he pay a fine of $490.
Driving offence
Thomas Anthony Kairau, 20, pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle and causing a sustained loss of traction.
The Ashburton man appeared in court earlier this year for driving while disqualified.
Lawyer Gretchen Hart said the repeat offenses were the result of stress as a young father, though life had been on the up for him.
“He is living in his own house, he’s got himself financially all sorted.
“He unfortunately made a decision to drive again.”
He had not been participating in his previous supervision sentence and Magistrate O’Brien said that was the bigger concern.
Kairau was convicted and remanded.
Warren Grant Lloyd, 75, was convicted and discharged for wilful trespass in the Ashburton Domain.
The Netherby man had been trespassed from the domain in January after complaints alleged he was “loitering around the public toilets and following people in.”
On December 10, Lloyd was spotted near the toilets again.
He told police he was “just taking a shortcut” while on his way to a church which he volunteers at.
“He’s an elderly man who lives alone,” lawyer Clare Yardley said, suggesting he got “lonely.”
Lloyd is trespassed from the domain for two years.
Testing a car
A Christchurch man was simply “testing” his new car out when police clocked him at a speed of 151 kilometes an hour.
Ian Kent Alejado Pabualan, 20, was lucky to not have received a worser charge, lawyer Clare Yardley said.
“The police officer didn’t charge him with dangerous speed,” she said.
He had been speeding through Summerton Road in Ashburton, and when questioned by police, he told then he want to “test the car”.
The Police Prosecutor said his speed was “right on that threshold of dangerous.”
“150km’s over the limit is one of those marginal calls.
“It would be appropriate to impose some kind of sanction on his licence.”
Magistrate Sally O’Brien noted Pabualan had three demerits for speeding already.
“He’s had previous demerits last year, three, for speeding.”
“You told the police you were aware of the speed limit, and you wanted to test the car - That is not how you test a car.
“You need to be very clear that if this type of speeding behaviour continues, you will be losing your licence."
Pabualan was convicted, fined $850 and ordered to undertake a defensive driving course.
“Start adulting”
A new father has been told he needs to grow up by a Magistrate.
Riley James Hamilton, 25, pleaded guilty to driving at 153 kilometres an hour in a 100 kilometre zone.
The Hampstead man was stopped heading north on state highway one around 7pm on a November night.
Hamilton was seen overtaking numerous vehicles on passing lanes, and had alcohol in his system when stopped by police.
“He accepts that his driving on this occasion is not at the standard that it should be,” lawyer Tiffany McRae said.’’
Magistrate O’Brien noted Hamilton had accrued four suspensions over seven years.
“You are now the father, I understand of a young baby,” she said, addressing Hamilton directly.
“It's time you started adulting.”
Hamilton was disqualified from driving for six months, ordered to pay a $550 fine and pay court costs.
Drink drive favour
A Hampstead man found himself in court after offering to drink drive for his friend.
Oliver-Jack Alexander Munro, 19, had been at a bar watching a rugby game with a group of people.
One friend realised they had left their idetification at home.
“The sober driver was playing pool, and one of his other friends didn’t have their ID,” lawyer Clare Yardley said.
So Munro decided to drive his friend home to retrive the ID.
He was caught in a traffic stop on the way over, where he blew a breath alcohol level of 569 micrograms.
“He just shouldn't have driven, and he’s put himself in a bit of jeopardy.”
Munro travels between Ireland and New Zealand for seasonal work, and a conviction could put his ability to continue that at risk.
“Its amazing what alcohol does to your ability to make decisions,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
“I fully expect that you have learnt your lesson, and won’t be back in court again.”
Munro receive a six month driving suspension, a $500 fine and was ordered to pay court costs.
Drink driving
Tinwald man Bailey James May, 19, pleaded guilty to driving with 803 micrograms of breath alcohol in his system - the legal limit is 250 micrograms.
Lawyer Clare Yardley said May had spent the night responsibly drinking.
“What is disappointing,” she said, “is that he walked home from where he’d been drinking, but then took his car out to go buy some cigarettes.
“He’s only 19, I doubt he’ll be back here.”
“Incredibly high reading,” Magistrate O’Brien said; “double the adult criminal limit.
“You won’t be able to drive with alcohol in your system for about four years.”
She fined May $400, ordered him to pay court costs and applied the alcohol interlock sentence.
He is disqualified from driving for 28 days, after which he has to apply for an interlock licence and get an interlock fitted to his car.
He must drive with that for a year, and then operate on a zero alcohol licence for a further three years.
No interlock
Sentencing confusion brought a Tinwald man back to the Ashburton Magistrates Court after four years.
Mile Moti Funaki, 47, pleaded guilty to driving contrary to an interlock licence.
He was sentenced to the interlock in 2021, but never got a device installed in his car.
Instead, Funaki’s wife has transported him around for the last four years.
Lawyer Gretchen Hart said the day he was caught on the road, his wife had “not been able to get away from work” and he took matters into his own hands.
“He is deeply regretful of the decision,” she said.
Hart also said there had been confusion about how the interlock provisions worked.
Those sentenced to an alcohol interlock licence are usually disqualified from driving for 28 days.
After that, they can apply for a device to get installed into their vehicle to prevent them from driving with alcohol in their system.
They must drive with the interlock for one year, and then on a zero-alcohol licence for three more years.
Hart said Funaki had wrongly assumed the sentence would void itself if he didn’t drive at all for several years.
She said Funaki sought to backdate the disqualification, to account for the years he’d spent away from the steering wheel.
“The defendant is the primary caregiver, and does really want to avail himself for use.”
Following the incident, Funaki had gone and gotten the interlock installed.
Magistrate O’Brien was prepared to deal with the matter in court that day.
“In my mind, this is more of a section 94 situation… in which case a community sentence would be imposed,” she said.
“Your affidavit indicates you are the primary caregiver for your four children, and you are reliant on your wife for the driving, but she works full time as well.
“I accept that it is not in the best interest of the public for you to be out of work or [unable] tohelp your children.
“You were sentenced four years ago, and should have resolved this issue by now.”
O’Brien sentenced Funaki to 50 hours of community work, and ordered him to pay court costs. No fine or further disqualification was applied.
Parked car crash
Lismore woman Shannan Anne Johnston, 19, pleaded guilty to drink driving with over the criminal limit of alcohol in her system.
She breath tested for 475 micrograms per litre of breath after crashing into a parked car on Alford Forest road.
Johnston was also on her restricted licence and out past the 10pm curfew.
“She was at a pub with friends,” lawyer Tiffany McRae said; “She was meant to be staying at a friend's house that evening.”
A situation at the pub arose and she made a decision to leave.
When police arrived, she admitted to them she had been drinking and was also using her phone while driving.
“The level of alcohol is at the low to moderate end - not for someone under 20 of course,” McRae said.
“She understands that the level of alcohol she was allowed was zero.”
“You should have had no alcohol in your system,” Magistrate O’Brien said, “and you probably shouldn’t have been driving at that time of night on your restricted.”
“You haven’t been acting responsibly or safely.”
O’Brien also noted that Johnston had received a number of regulatory infringements over this year.
She disqualified Johnston from driving for six months and ordered her to pay a fine.
Trucker’s drink driving
A trucker’s “problematic relationship” with alcohol has landed him in court a second time.
Jonathon Adam Barlow-Simpson, 28, pleaded guilty to driving with over double the legal limit of alcohol in his system while behind the wheel.
He had a breath alcohol reading of 704 micrograms when he was pulled over by police on Pendarves Rakaia road.
“You told the police you'd have four big bottles and three stubbies of beer,” Magistrate O’Brien read from the fact summary.
Lawyer Tiffany McRae said this would be Barlow-Simpson’s second conviction for drink driving.
“He accepts that he’s really misjudged the level of alcohol in his system,” she said.
“He has spoken with his employer, they are prepared to support him with a work licence.”
O’Brien told the man he needed “a bit of help with decision making”.
“It seems to me he might have a problematic relationship with alcohol.”
Barlow-Simpson was disqualified from driving for seven months, and ordered to pay a $1000 fine and court costs.
Traffic stop
Adam Roy Ohlson, 38, blew a breath alcohol level of 714 micrograms during a routine traffic stop.
He told the police he’d had “no more than six bourbons.”
It was the Valetta man’s second breath alcohol charge, though the first one happened over two decades ago.
“You’ve done really well; you’ve stayed out of the courts for 20 years,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
She told him to school up on the effects of alcohol, and how long it takes the body to process a standard drink.
He was disqualified from driving for seven months, and ordered to pay a $1000 fine and court costs.
“About 10 stubbies”
Lauriston man Rata Shoma Webb, 18, was caught drink driving with 693 micrograms of breath alcohol in his system.
“He was at a friend’s house for a birthday,” lawyer Tiffany McRae said.
He had intended to stay the night, but a situation arose and prompted him to leave.
He was stopped on Harrison Street in Ashburton at midnight, where he explained to police he had “about 10 stubbies”, the fact summary read.
“I’m not sure why you had your car at the party in the first place,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
“As an 18 year old, your permitted alcohol level is zero.
“I would hope that you won’t appear back in court after this.”
Webb was disqualified from driving for six months, and ordered to pay an $850 fine and court costs.
Not your finest hour
Ashburton man Jonathan Ben Wright, 44, called himself an “idiot” when police pulled him over for drink driving.
He pleaded guilty to producing a reading of 976 micrograms per litre of breath when tested.
“He had unfortunately lost his job,” lawyer Clare Yardley said, “and life wasn't looking too great, and he took to drinking.
“He drank earlier in the day, then went to the river with his dog and drank some more.”
An incident occurred and Wright was assaulted at the river “quite badly”.
And when pulled over by the police, he told them “in fairly colourful language hat he was an idiot,” Yardley said.
“This was not your finest hour,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
“It’s an extremely high reading.
“I can accept that this is out of character for you.”
Wright was fined $450 and court costs, and sentenced under the alcohol interlock provisions.
Disqualified driver
Marcus Matene Bishop, 24, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified.
Lawyer Gretchen Hart said the man had been managing the disqualification period well, and received rides to work.
“On this particular day, his ride fell through and he took his fathers car to work.”
He was caught in a traffic stop and admitted to police that he was disqualified.
“This is your fourth disqualification in a short amount of time,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
He was convicted and sentenced to 40 hours of community work.
His indefinite disqualification has been extended by a half-year.
Careless driving
Richard James Mercer, 61, appeared on a careless driving charge after a “freak accident”.
“He said to me that he put his foot on the brake, but it slipped onto the accelerator,” lawyer Clare Yardley said.
Mercer had attempted to park his car when he pressed the accelerator, swerving into the victim who went up the bonnet, and struck the windscreen with their head.
The victim suffered a concussion and a spinal compression fracture.
$250 was being sought for insurance excess.
Magistrate O’Brien agreed that this incident was an “accident” plain and simple.
She disqualified him from driving for six months and ordered he pay a fine of $490.
Driving offence
Thomas Anthony Kairau, 20, pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle and causing a sustained loss of traction.
The Ashburton man appeared in court earlier this year for driving while disqualified.
Lawyer Gretchen Hart said the repeat offenses were the result of stress as a young father, though life had been on the up for him.
“He is living in his own house, he’s got himself financially all sorted.
“He unfortunately made a decision to drive again.”
He had not been participating in his previous supervision sentence and Magistrate O’Brien said that was the bigger concern.
Kairau was convicted and remanded.
