Ex-partners in beach stoush

A Northland man fishing on a beach was hit by a car driven by a former associate in an ambergris-collecting business, the Whangarei District Court has heard.

John James Vodanovich, 46, of Baylys Beach, west of Dargaville, is charged with injuring Ross Sherman with intent to injure, and failing to stop to ascertain injury after an accident.

Crown prosecutor Mike Smith said Vodanovich and Mr Sherman knew each other from a business venture collecting ambergris from beaches, but had not spoken for about three years.

The waxy ambergris, excreted by sperm whales, is used in some perfumes and can be worth thousands of dollars a kilogram.

Mr Smith said Mr Sherman had been kite-fishing last October 21 when he was hit, suffering leg, feet and hand injuries.

Defence lawyer Arthur Fairley said Mr Sherman had approached the car and smashed the windscreen with a PVC pipe.

The case is continuing.

- NZPA