The weapon used in the incident. Photo / @samanthahayes Instagram
A man who went on a drunken shooting spree in an upmarket Auckland suburb has been spared jail because of his family support.
Natal Sua Moke, 20, appeared in the Auckland District Court last week on firearms and receiving charges.
Judge David Sharp said a prison term would normally have been an appropriate sentence for the offending.
On November 10, Sua Moke wandered along Jervois Rd in Herne Bay carrying an airgun.
He went into a petrol station and asked for $1000 cash but was denied by staff.
He then walked into a nearby cafe and fired the airgun in the bathroom.
When he left he started an argument with his girlfriend and when his frustration grew, he began indiscriminately firing at nearby vehicles.
Sua Moke saw that a couple in their car had noticed him arguing and he shot at them three times.
They drove off and called police but another vehicle soon parked close by and Sua Moke took aim at them too.
Their car suffered some damage but no one was injured.
Police arrested Sua Moke shortly afterwards and he told them he did not care if he went to jail.
He explained he was firing the weapon "cause my missus left me" and "cause I wanna shoot people".
The court was told how he could not remember the incident because he was so drunk.
Judge Sharp said it was the presence of Sua Moke's parents, his partner and their child in court that saved him from a harsher penalty.
"If it was someone who didn't care, I'd have to send them to jail and that crossed my mind," the judge said.
"It's a way to go down the drain. It's a way your life disappears... Your family are here because they don't want that for you."
Sua Moke was sentenced to 200 hours' community work and a year's intensive supervision.
He was ordered to pay $600 for the damage caused.
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