Court told chainsaw man was looking for girlfriend

A man who went looking for his girlfriend armed with a chainsaw led an alarmed passerby to contact police, Nelson District Court has been told.

Tristan Shane Brown, 35, of Nelson, who admitted possessing an offensive weapon was remanded to June 28 for a psychological report and sentence.

Prosecutor Sergeant John Hippolite said Brown was seen carrying a chainsaw while walking along a Nelson street St about 2am on May 21.

The chainsaw was not running but it did function.

A member of the public asked Brown why he had the chainsaw, and Brown replied in an angry manner that he was looking for his girlfriend and would do whatever it took to find her, Mr Hippolite said.

Brown later told police he had been with his grilfriend earlier at a bar but she left and he did not know where she was.

Defence lawyer Kelly Hennesey said Brown had suffered a brain injury two years ago and part of his brain was not functioning.

- nzpa