Trapped man hurt
A 29-year-old Northland man is in serious condition in Auckland Hospital after he was cut free from the rear of a car that crashed into a power pole. The man was a backseat passenger in a car that lost control on Maunu Rd about 1am yesterday.
The rear of the car took the brunt of the crash and the man was trapped. Firefighters cut him free and he was taken to Whangarei Hospital before he was flown to Auckland. Another male and a female in the vehicle were not injured and the power pole was not damaged. Police are continuing to investigate.
Custody on crowbar charge
A 20-year-old Kaitaia man who allegedly attacked his next-door neighbour with a crowbar and demanded money was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Kaitaia District Court.
Regan King is due to appear again today to apply for bail on charges of aggravated burglary and wounding with intent to injure. According to police a man entered the victim's home via the back door shortly after 10pm on Thursday. He had disguised himself and was carrying a crowbar.
The male resident disturbed him in the kitchen where the intruder was apparently looking for food. The intruder then hit the occupant twice on the right arm and once on the back of the head with the crowbar, felling him, then fleeing. The victim suffered bruising and abrasions.
Multiple charges for mum
A Kerikeri woman is facing a raft of charges after threatening to kill her children and sparking a police chase while over the alcohol limit.
The woman was spotted by police after making the threat on Friday afternoon but they had to quickly call off the chase because one of the children was with her in the car.
After a search of the area the 40-year-old was found on a property near Bay of Islands airport. She was charged with drink driving, reckless driving, failing to stop, two counts of threatening to kill, assault and wilful damage. The children are now in the care of their father.