Judge denies bail for Napier palm tree feller

A reportedly drunken forestry worker who allegedly took two attempts to fell a 20m tall Phoenix palm in Nelson Park has been denied bail.
Matthew Kenneth Dugdale, 21, appeared in Napier District Court yesterday charged with intentional damage likely to endanger life.
Police allege Dugdale first attacked the tree about 11.30pm on Saturday. Unable to fell it, he left, then returned with wedges to finish the job.
Police located him a short time later hiding under a bed.
Dugdale's lawyer, Leo Lafferty, said his client had been dealing with the loss of a friend and admitted chopping the tree after consuming alcohol on Saturday night - though he did plan to dispute some police facts.
Mr Lafferty sought bail and the return of Dugdale's chainsaw, arguing he would need it to work.
Judge Tony Adeane said Dugdale had been on a "drinking spree" where he had damaged a number of trees around his flat before focusing his attention on the 20m-tall Pacific Palm tree.
"His flatmates, concerned about his intoxication had hidden the chainsaw, but he found it and went out to a public reserve."
Believing Dugdale a risk to reoffend, Judge Adeane denied bail and remanded him in custody until February.