Man in court for firing air rifle near Napier market

Stalls at the Napier Sunday Market on Marine Parade in Napier.

A Napier man dangerously fired a rifle near a popular beach front Sunday market after stealing the weapon from one the stalls.
Richard Tiena Keil, 44, was at the Marine Parade markets on February 22 when he grabbed a Gamo .177 calibre rifle from a stall before leaving the car park market and strolling out onto the Napier streets.
While walking along Marine Parade to his parked car, Keil actioned the air rifle by breaking the firearm in half to compress the air cylinder and in the process fired off a shot.
Luckily the rifle was aimed at the ground when the timber worker, who does not have a firearm's licence, pulled the trigger.
Another stall holder was returning from the public toilets and witnessed the shooting, and members of the public called police.
The rifle, valued at $300, was later recovered by police from Keil's car.
Keil appeared in the Napier District Court today where he pleaded guilty to stealing the rifle, unlawfully carrying the firearm and discharging it in a public place.
Judge Bridget Mackintosh remanded him on bail until March 18 ahead of his sentencing.