Bail breached to attend Golden Shears

Otaki shearer Tipene Eru Te Whaiti , 30, finished 16th in the Golden Shears after breaching bail to attend the event.

Taking part in the Golden Shears was one thing Tipene Eru Te Whaiti was prepared to breach his bail for.

The 30-year-old shearer had been remanded to an Otaki address last month on a charge of breaching a protection order with a condition not to enter Wairarapa unless to attend court or instruct his lawyer.

However, he did come to Masterton last weekend to compete in the Golden Shears in which he came 16th, his lawyer Ian Hard told the court.

"It was an error of judgment. He had a ticket to compete ... he succumbed to temptation and has gone to the Golden Shears."

Police discovered him "coming down from drugs" and hiding in his partner's wardrobe, police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Lawrence said.

Te Whaiti pleaded guilty to breaching bail when he appeared before Judge Tom Broadmore in Masterton District Court this week.

Judge Broadmore told Te Whaiti he had a "terrible criminal history" piled high with domestic violence. The judge warned him about breaching bail again as he remanded Te Whaiti on bail to a Woodville address.

"This is your final warning. If you have any contact with the complainant or come into the area you will be in breach."

Te Whaiti is due back in court on April 10 for a case review as he has previously pleaded not guilty to breaching a protection order.