Actor may avoid prison - judge

An actor shot in the chest by police during a confrontation in Auckland was told today he was unlikely to go prison but may still face a custodial sentence on four charges.

Rob Mokaraka, 36, faces four charges relating to the incident: threatening to kill, possession of an imitation firearm to resist arrest, possession of an offensive weapon and assault with a weapon.

He was charged after a confrontation with police outside his home in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier in July last year.

Police said he engineered his own shooting by calling 111 and telling police there was an armed man at his house. He then confronted armed police, carrying a meat cleaver and two knives.

He was shot in the chest.

In Auckland District Court today Judge Mary Beth Sharp said "something less than a sentence of imprisonment" was the desired outcome.

However, she would not say he would avoid a custodial sentence and other options included a community detention.

She remanded Mokaraka until April 28, saying she wanted a report on how he was recovering from his injuries and his treatment for depression.

- NZPA