Jail for concealing knife from police

A Masterton man has been convicted of possession of an offensive weapon.

A Masterton man who told police he would "deal to" people who he said had invaded his home, after he was found with a knife, has been convicted of possession of an offensive weapon and sentenced to jail.

Caleb Kerry Taua-Robert, 28, unemployed, appeared in Masterton District Court on Friday for sentencing, Taua-Robert pleaded not guilty to the charge in an earlier appearance.

According to police on October 9 at about 12.30am police were near Taua-Robert's home and after hearing a conflict erupt in the upstairs area of the house knocked on the front door. Taua-Robert answered the door and told police everything was fine.

As police entered the house to check on people upstairs, Taua-Robert tried to rush upstairs while concealing something in his hand. He was arrested and found to have a knife with a 30cm blade in his hand.

Taua-Robert told police he had been threatened by someone upstairs and intended to use the knife to "waste them".

Judge Bill Hastings said police produced two witnesses, during the hearing, one of which was Sergeant Paul Lee who was on the street dealing to another matter when a young woman approached him and asked him to get a friend out of Taua-Robert's house.

"He said he heard a commotion coming from upstairs...he heard female screams.

"He went to your door and was about to open it when he saw a shadow behind the door, he said you said it's "all good boss" and tried to block his entry.

"He grabbed you by the shoulders, pushed you back ... and in your right hand was a knife with a 30cm blade."

Sergeant Lee said Taua-Robert had used words to the effect that his home was invaded and that he had got the knife to "f**k them up" and to "deal to them".

"The police allege that what you said shows you had an intention to use the knife to cause bodily harm," Judge Hastings said.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said police had no right to enter Taua Robert's house and that he was using the knife to cut up dog roll.

Mr Blathwayt said Taua-Robert had a problem with epilepsy.

"He had a motor accident years ago which exacerbated the epilepsy. He frequently has fits and periods where he does have no memory."

Mr Blathwayt said there had been no attempt to threaten police. Whatever was going on no-one was actually at risk.

"He wasn't going to do any harm to police, he was concealing the knife from them and moving away from them," Mr Blathwayt said.

In summing up Judge Hastings said he was satisfied police had reasonable grounds to enter Taua-Robert's house. "I am satisfied that a young girl asking for help to get her friend from your house, combined with noise from a commotion are reasonable grounds."

Judge Hastings said he found the evidence of the sergeant and constable credible.

"I heard no evidence that contradicted Sergeant Lee's evidence that he heard a commotion, he thought it was coming from upstairs.

"Once in the house Sergeant Lee saw that you were hiding something and that you moved to run upstairs.

"12.30am is an odd time to be cutting up dog roll."

He said Taua-Robert had admitted to concealing a knife from police and referring to home invaders.

Judge Hastings said he was satisfied police had proven the charge and sentenced Taua-Robert to two weeks in prison.