Drunk man's threat to use fence post

Zane Mark Daley, 23, appeared in Masterton District Court this week and pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

A man who threatened party-goers with a fence post until police pulled out a Taser has been sentenced to community work and supervision.

Zane Mark Daley, 23, appeared in Masterton District Court this week and pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

The court heard how, on January 3, Daley was at a party in Masterton and had been drinking and he and several others were intoxicated.

An argument broke out and escalated with Daley pulling out a fence post, swinging it over his head, and threatening to use it against other party-goers.

Police presented a Taser to gain his compliance.

Judge John Bergseng sentenced Daley to 80 hours' community work and six months' supervision.

Meanwhile, Jarrad Bevan Hunter, also at the party, pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour.

As police were placing Daley in the police car, Hunter became abusive and began swearing at police. Police were forced to pepper spray Hunter to enable them to leave the address safely.

Judge Bergseng said Hunter's behaviour had been "pretty poor".

"Police were just doing their job, you didn't need to get involved, clearly it was a difficult situation for them to deal with and wasn't helped by your actions."

Judge Bergseng sentenced Hunter to 120 hours' community work.