Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato. She has worked at NZME since February 2015 and been a journalist for 20 years.
Belinda's career started out in the small South Island town of Oamaru where she first started covering court, along with the police and entertainment rounds. She has continued writing about crime since then, including while working in Whanganui before moving to Hamilton in 2007. Her journalism career has also seen her cover large breaking news events including the Kaikoura earthquake and White Island eruption. Belinda, who is of Ngati Kahungungu descent, has a keen interest in the justice system and exploring the journey of those who have to go through it with balance, honesty and integrity.
![Fog cannon scares off ciggie robbers who left with icecreams instead](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Fog cannon scares off ciggie robbers who left with icecreams instead
A member of the public tried to stop them from fleeing but was rundown in the process.
!['Middle man' sold firearms stolen in rifle club heist](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Middle man' sold firearms stolen in rifle club heist
Owen Dlyakiya received four rifles and onsold two of them.
![120kg drug bust: Man caught near ship claims he was 'practising to become a boat captain'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
120kg drug bust: Man caught near ship claims he was 'practising to become a boat captain'
Kupa Koinaki didn't realise police had already taken the cocaine he was meant to collect.
![Transgender woman off to men's prison after violent hammer attack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Transgender woman off to men's prison after violent hammer attack
Crown says jail challenges for trans woman not "something she should get a discount for".
![Tradie accused of $87k of fraud wanted trial thrown out due to 'excessive' delays](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Tradie accused of $87k of fraud wanted trial thrown out due to 'excessive' delays
Jason Lambert's lawyer argued: “It’s his right to be tried without undue delay.”
!['She knew what she was doing:' Woman sent injured child overseas to avoid police probe](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'She knew what she was doing:' Woman sent injured child overseas to avoid police probe
The 35-year-old was accused of assaulting the girl who turned up at school with injuries.
!['Give me your drugs, cash, jewellery': Sleeping residents woken by armed burglar](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Give me your drugs, cash, jewellery': Sleeping residents woken by armed burglar
Kohl Gibbons was wearing a headlamp and holding a .22 sawn-off rifle.
!['Broken teeth, fractured eye socket': Prison guards' bloody beating](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Broken teeth, fractured eye socket': Prison guards' bloody beating
Inmate Krome Wilson punched one of the guards from behind, sending him to the ground.
![A burden to bear: Mum's angst after Snapchat predator jailed for sex act with girl](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
A burden to bear: Mum's angst after Snapchat predator jailed for sex act with girl
The 46-year-old added the teen on social media and said he wanted to be her 'sugar daddy'.
![He was an 83-year-old Justice of the Peace - he laundered $500k for meth ring](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
He was an 83-year-old Justice of the Peace - he laundered $500k for meth ring
Herbert Armitage was a JP and a keen bowler - he was laundering money on the side.
![Thieves cut hole in gun club's safe, climb inside and steal rifles, cash and ammo](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Thieves cut hole in gun club's safe, climb inside and steal rifles, cash and ammo
The whereabouts of some of the stolen guns remains unknown.
!['Sophisticated and intelligent criminal' gets law degree while on electronic bail](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Sophisticated and intelligent criminal' gets law degree while on electronic bail
Mason Helm put GPS trackers on Ford utes, cloned their keys, then stole them.
!['He's a hero': Stabbing victim was just days from graduating as chef](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'He's a hero': Stabbing victim was just days from graduating as chef
Bailey Ecclestone, 22, said he never wanted to hurt anyone that fateful night.
!['Degrading': Man drags naked partner outside, pours boiling water over her](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Degrading': Man drags naked partner outside, pours boiling water over her
Simon Kereopa then told his partner 'you deserve it, and that’s what you get'.
!['Dad's gone': Roadworker killed after being struck by speeding truck](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Dad's gone': Roadworker killed after being struck by speeding truck
Brian Barnes' heartbroken family say their lives have been destroyed by his death.
![Woman steals from laundromat after trying out Tiktok trick](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Woman steals from laundromat after trying out Tiktok trick
Tira Tipene will now pay back the $390 she stole at $20 per week.
![Man dragged 30m by car after woman dupes him in Facebook Marketplace deal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man dragged 30m by car after woman dupes him in Facebook Marketplace deal
Lian Hunia had no intention of handing over any money for the iPhone the man was selling.
!['Facebook scam': Man uses Marketplace to sell fake PlayStation, Xbox](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Facebook scam': Man uses Marketplace to sell fake PlayStation, Xbox
Daniel Johnstone has been sentenced to home detention and ordered to pay reparations.
![Prolific burglar goes on crime spree while on parole to pay for drug debt](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Prolific burglar goes on crime spree while on parole to pay for drug debt
Jamie Downard was living in Te Awamutu after being granted parole.
![‘Houdini’ police escape artist jailed for part in Mongrel Mob meth manufacture](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
‘Houdini’ police escape artist jailed for part in Mongrel Mob meth manufacture
Elijah Waterman organised a truck driver to avoid the Covid-19 Auckland border.
!['Dehumanising and degrading:' Man's abuse left woman unable to breastfeed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Dehumanising and degrading:' Man's abuse left woman unable to breastfeed
Adam Thomas Ross' abuse spanned two-and-a-half years.
![Migrant's resident visa arrived days after being killed by repeat drink-driver](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Migrant's resident visa arrived days after being killed by repeat drink-driver
Jack Halliday had about 10 after-work drinks and then got behind the wheel.
!['Why can’t you just love me?': Violent man breaks into woman's home, lays out lingerie](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Why can’t you just love me?': Violent man breaks into woman's home, lays out lingerie
Sonny Paul went on to physically and sexually assault his victim.
![Bribery, Black Power, and drug smuggling: The downfall of a Corrections officer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Bribery, Black Power, and drug smuggling: The downfall of a Corrections officer
Scott Topham was paid $3200 by a prisoner to bring in the contraband.
![Fleeing teen who robbed liquor stores ordered shooting at police, bullet hits patrol car](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Fleeing teen who robbed liquor stores ordered shooting at police, bullet hits patrol car
The bullet hit the bonnet of the pursuing patrol car, leaving officers in shock.
![Man who allegedly struck road worker with speeding car charged with attempted murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man who allegedly struck road worker with speeding car charged with attempted murder
The road worker was critically injured after he was struck by a vehicle.
!['I'm going to kill your children': Man assaults, threatens whānau member](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'I'm going to kill your children': Man assaults, threatens whānau member
Temuera Paul also broke into a Kāinga Ora house and took a shower.
![Man charged three years after crash that killed one, injured another](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man charged three years after crash that killed one, injured another
The 26-year-old made a brief appearance in the Hamilton District Court today.
![Woman kidnapped, beat young dad in brutal 23-minute attack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Woman kidnapped, beat young dad in brutal 23-minute attack
After five years, Joshua Terrey's family has some closure - but not the kind they want.
![‘Money mule’ stole $23,000 from woman’s account - heads to casino](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
‘Money mule’ stole $23,000 from woman’s account - heads to casino
Mackara Patrick Chourb told police he didn't realise he'd taken so much money out.
!['Spiritual awakening': Woman got drunk, danced in the rain then set house on fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Spiritual awakening': Woman got drunk, danced in the rain then set house on fire
Raewyn Newport drank two bottles of wine in four hours.
![Smothering, stomping, drowning: Toddler's hellish torture at hands of Huntly man](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Smothering, stomping, drowning: Toddler's hellish torture at hands of Huntly man
Bridjid Tamihana admitted 11 charges relating to the treatment of a 23-month-old girl.
![Man armed with axe jumps out of bushes to rob victim of ute](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man armed with axe jumps out of bushes to rob victim of ute
Bryce Paterson was one of four involved in the armed robbery at Taupiri.
![Unlicensed delivery driver high on cannabis when he caused fatal crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Unlicensed delivery driver high on cannabis when he caused fatal crash
He'd just finished his shift when he crossed the centre line and into his victims' path.
![Former Mongrel Mob member turned counsellor seeks $700k after losing prison job](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Former Mongrel Mob member turned counsellor seeks $700k after losing prison job
He was caught sharing a tribute to a Mongrel Mob member who had died.
![Police dog punched after burglar caught red-handed on roof with booze shop loot](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Police dog punched after burglar caught red-handed on roof with booze shop loot
Sidney Cassidy then attacked a police dog when he was busted for the crimes.
![Kitchen killing: Man fatally stabbed after trying to break up fight over messy kitchen](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Kitchen killing: Man fatally stabbed after trying to break up fight over messy kitchen
Bailey Eccelstone locked himself in his room afterward and claimed it was self-defence.
![Ambulance hijacked after abscess on man's bottom not deemed hospital-worthy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Ambulance hijacked after abscess on man's bottom not deemed hospital-worthy
Levi Ihimaera's lawyer said he "essentially lashed out like a child".
!['Shame on the family': Man's descent into violence, porn, adultery after marriage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Shame on the family': Man's descent into violence, porn, adultery after marriage
The couple were only married for a month when the violence began.
![Man who torched John Key’s MP office admits $650k arson of railway building](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man who torched John Key’s MP office admits $650k arson of railway building
Daniel Vale has a fiery criminal history.
!['She stepped out in front of me': Woman died after speeding ute hit her and threw her 24m](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'She stepped out in front of me': Woman died after speeding ute hit her and threw her 24m
Peter Napier was doing nearly 70kph when he hit and killed pedestrian Shiqing Li.
!['Significant fraud': Care worker steals $25k from two elderly clients](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Significant fraud': Care worker steals $25k from two elderly clients
One of the victims has since died, while the other won't get all her money back.
![Man shoves fist in partner's mouth, breaks jaw, in haunting night of violence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man shoves fist in partner's mouth, breaks jaw, in haunting night of violence
It wasn't until the following morning that the battered victim was able to flee.
!['Despicable betrayal': Woman fleeced $1.6m from ailing sister](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Despicable betrayal': Woman fleeced $1.6m from ailing sister
Bronwyn Rutter bought a new car and tried to buy a house with her ill-gotten gains.
![Shooter stuffed meth in undies, hid in cannabis-filled secret bunker](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Shooter stuffed meth in undies, hid in cannabis-filled secret bunker
The victim was driving away when he was shot in the back.
![Tense scenes as driver of double fatal crash admits guilt](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Tense scenes as driver of double fatal crash admits guilt
Jeannine Ball and her mother-in-law Lynda Ball died in the Taupō crash earlier this year.
![Tesla crash: Judge finds driver Saurbh Sharma guilty of causing young Auckland lawyer’s death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Tesla crash: Judge finds driver Saurbh Sharma guilty of causing young Auckland lawyer’s death
Judge Glen Marshall found speed and distraction were two key factors in the crash.
!['Left their exit too late': Fisherman swept to his death likely caught by vicious 'short tide'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Left their exit too late': Fisherman swept to his death likely caught by vicious 'short tide'
Laken Watene's body has never been recovered.
![Former psychologist claims ADHD clients who complained were ‘fake’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Former psychologist claims ADHD clients who complained were ‘fake’
Gunther van der Heijden maintains NZ's health system is "corrupt".
![‘Amazing times, dark times’: Dawn Raids lawyer calling time on his 44-year career](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
‘Amazing times, dark times’: Dawn Raids lawyer calling time on his 44-year career
“I have never doubted my passion for my job... [it's as] natural as breathing oxygen".
![Man who sold bleach as Covid cure gets jail term converted to home detention](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man who sold bleach as Covid cure gets jail term converted to home detention
Criminal 'seized upon the tragedy' of the pandemic as a 'money-making opportunity'.
!['I hope you get what you deserve': Daughter confronts man who killed her father in crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'I hope you get what you deserve': Daughter confronts man who killed her father in crash
Livai Nuku survived the crash he caused, but suffered a traumatic brain injury.
![Driver in fatal high-speed crash that killed young lawyer says he wasn't using Tesla's auto-drive function](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Driver in fatal high-speed crash that killed young lawyer says he wasn't using Tesla's auto-drive function
Saurbh Sharma couldn't explain why 'how to delete Tesla recordings' was on his phone.
![Man in crash that killed lawyer searched 'how to delete Tesla recordings'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man in crash that killed lawyer searched 'how to delete Tesla recordings'
Young Auckland barrister Shubham Kaur died in the fiery 2022 crash.
!['I tripped': Teen played PlayStation instead of getting help for injured newborn](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'I tripped': Teen played PlayStation instead of getting help for injured newborn
It was several hours before the badly injured girl was taken to hospital.
![Jailed teen ram-raider aligns with gang, happy with prison time](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Jailed teen ram-raider aligns with gang, happy with prison time
A young ram-raider said he was "happy to do [his] lag".
!['Shocking history': Recidivist drink driver clocks up 14th conviction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Shocking history': Recidivist drink driver clocks up 14th conviction
'The message clearly isn’t getting through and the deterrent is probably not high enough.'
!['My best friend': Meth-fuelled driver kills brother on hunting trip](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'My best friend': Meth-fuelled driver kills brother on hunting trip
Keely-Shaye Albert had never held a licence and was driving on a private road.
![Whānau turn up in support of Waikato murder accused](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Whānau turn up in support of Waikato murder accused
The 29-year-old was supported in court by a large amount of whānau.
!['Absolute tragedy': Man who beat partner to death acquitted of murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Absolute tragedy': Man who beat partner to death acquitted of murder
Richard Coburn was instead found guilty of manslaughter.
![Murder or manslaughter: Did Richard Coburn mean to kill his girlfriend?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Murder or manslaughter: Did Richard Coburn mean to kill his girlfriend?
That's the question a Hamilton jury is now deliberating.
!['I wiped her face, apologising': Killer told dying partner she would be all right](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'I wiped her face, apologising': Killer told dying partner she would be all right
Richard Coburn admits he killed his partner, but says it wasn't murder.
![Woman was alive for 'at least 30 minutes' after partner's fatal attack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Woman was alive for 'at least 30 minutes' after partner's fatal attack
Richard Coburn admits killing his partner, but says it wasn't murder.
![Man changed partner’s bloody clothes after fatal assault, then called 111](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man changed partner’s bloody clothes after fatal assault, then called 111
Now Richard Coburn is standing trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend.
![Inmate punches fellow prisoner in the face, then drops to ground to do sit-ups](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Inmate punches fellow prisoner in the face, then drops to ground to do sit-ups
The victim lost a tooth when he was struck forcefully in the face without reason.
![‘Get lost you...': Drunk man unleashes tirade of racial abuse on church staff](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
‘Get lost you...': Drunk man unleashes tirade of racial abuse on church staff
Craig Murray was 'severely intoxicated' at the time he abused church staff.
!['I get bored': Ram raiding Hamilton teen tells judge](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'I get bored': Ram raiding Hamilton teen tells judge
The teen, from Afghanistan, got swept up in ram-raid crime that swept through the Waikato.
![How a man who murdered his wife could serve less than two years in prison](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
How a man who murdered his wife could serve less than two years in prison
'There are some cases where you’ve got complete sympathy.'
![Man jailed for killing elderly wife in failed suicide pact](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Man jailed for killing elderly wife in failed suicide pact
John Salter strangled his wife Jean with a necktie but couldn't take his own life.
![Tesla airborne for 28m during crash that killed young lawyer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Tesla airborne for 28m during crash that killed young lawyer
Tesla then skidded 60m into bank, slid, smashed through pole, rolled, court hears.
![Fiery Tesla crash: Trial begins for driver after death of young lawyer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Fiery Tesla crash: Trial begins for driver after death of young lawyer
The Tesla landed upside in a ditch, nestled in long grass next to a hedge.
![Gang associates guilty of murdering 27-year-old who 'narked' on Mongrel Mob captain](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Gang associates guilty of murdering 27-year-old who 'narked' on Mongrel Mob captain
Jury returns unanimous guilty verdicts in case of Bay of Plenty man Eli Johnson's murder.
![Murder victim said he'd be 'dead tomorrow' after testifying against Mongrel Mob boss](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Murder victim said he'd be 'dead tomorrow' after testifying against Mongrel Mob boss
The Crown and defence are closing their case in the Eli Johnson murder trial.
!['Well-practised thief': Judge slams shoplifter for involving children in thefts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Well-practised thief': Judge slams shoplifter for involving children in thefts
The judge believed Reece Whatarau tried to manipulate his victims.
![Attacker bashes relative with cricket bat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Attacker bashes relative with cricket bat
The victim has permanently damaged eyesight after being bashed with a bat in a carpark.
![Doorman beaten, stomped unconscious, attacker claims 'just a pub fight'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Doorman beaten, stomped unconscious, attacker claims 'just a pub fight'
Tuumanako Tawha stomped on the victim's head as he lay on the ground.
!['Severe pain': Dairy worker who had thumb sliced off speaks of struggles](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
'Severe pain': Dairy worker who had thumb sliced off speaks of struggles
Trayd Tahau, who was high on meth at the time, has now been jailed.
![Snapchat 'sugar daddy': Man pays girl to meet up in bushes for sexual acts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=783)
Snapchat 'sugar daddy': Man pays girl to meet up in bushes for sexual acts
Roland McKop discovered the girl was only 13 while messaging her.