Carterton man admits knife crime

Christopher James Martin, 29, was convicted to 60 hours' community service and nine months' supervision on a charge of threatening behaviour.

A Carterton man who was falsely accused of stealing his neighbour's cigarettes during a drinking session has been convicted of threatening the neighbour with a knife.

On March 6, Christopher James Martin, 29, was drinking with his neighbour and another man, who left taking the neighbour's cigarettes.

The neighbour accused Martin of stealing the cigarettes and an argument ensued, during which Martin pulled out a black-handled flick knife and threatened to stab his neighbour.

The man who had taken the cigarettes came back to return them and helped the neighbour to restrain Martin, who also picked up a bottle of bourbon and cola as if to hit the other two men with it.

In Masterton District Court on Monday, Martin pleaded guilty to one charge of behaving threateningly.

His lawyer, James Elliot, said Martin had been using the knife at home and had left it in his pocket.

He had since apologised to his neighbour and it was now "business as usual" between them, Mr Elliot said.

Judge Barbara Morris said knives and drinking were a "dangerous combination" and sentenced him to 60 hours community work and nine months supervision.

She also ordered him to attend drug and alcohol counselling.