Breached lockdown
A 31-year-old Tikipunga woman who allegedly ignored police advice and chose to drive during lockdown has been granted bail. Nicole Jacinta Faulkner faces a charge of intentionally failed to comply with a direction under the Civil Defence Management Act and undertook non-essential travel on April 11, this year. It is a charge that has a maximum jail sentence of three months and or a fine of up to $5000. Faulkner also faces four methamphetamine-related charges and one of driving while suspended. She will make her next appearance in Whangārei District Court on June 15.
Man assaulted, knocked out
Police are investigating an assault at Tokerau Beach that left a man unconscious for a short time. The man and a woman had been walking a dog on the beach, and were attaching a leash to its collar when a vehicle stopped and two men told them to control the animal. The victim's response apparently failed to mollify the pair, one of them punching the victim in the head, knocking him out. A police spokesman said the man had suffered a sore jaw, swelling and bruising on the right side of his face.