Gunman's neighbours put officers at risk, court told

Armed Offenders Squad and Police in Napier. File photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Nosy neighbours in Napier gunman Jan Molenaar's line of fire jeopardised the safety of police officers by ignoring their orders to take cover, a court has been told.

Shane Boyce, 23, and Chevelle Leese, 19, appeared in Napier District Court yesterday to defend two charges of obstructing police on May 7 - the first day of the three-day siege. The pair lived at a house at the bottom of Chaucer Rd.

A third occupant, Mike Kemp, earlier pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined $1000, The Dominion Post reported.

A Hastings detective said he told the trio five times to get inside the house before they complied.

"Usually when you've got someone in AOS equipment yelling at you that shots are being fired, the normal reaction is people do what they are told ... They were rooted to the spot," he said.

His yells attracted a volley of shots from Molenaar.

Eventually, an officer yelled to the group that they were under arrest and told them to run across the road to cover.

Kemp casually crossed the road holding a cup of tea, the court was told.

Boyce followed, then Leese. Leese was walking until a volley of eight to 10 shots was fired by Molenaar and she started sprinting.

The matter will be recalled tomorrow to set a further hearing date.

- NZPA