Actor may escape jail term after being shot during 'armed siege'

An actor accused of engineering his own shooting during a confrontation with police was yesterday told he would probably escape jail, but could still face a custodial sentence.

Police allege 36-year-old Rob Mokaraka called 111 last July and said an armed man was at his house in Pt Chevalier, Auckland.

Carrying a meat cleaver and two knives, he then confronted police who arrived at the scene

He was shot in the chest by police and spent weeks in hospital.

He was charged with threatening to kill, possession of an imitation fire-arm to resist arrest, possession of an offensive weapon and assault with a weapon.

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

But she would not say he would avoid a custodial sentence.

Other options include community detention, but the judge said that would make it difficult for Mokaraka to return to work.

The shooting had affected officers involved, including one who was five months out of police college, she said.

The judge remanded Mokaraka until April 28 for a sentence indication hearing where a plea to the charges is expected to be entered.

She also called for updated medical records to see how he was recovering from his injuries.