Man admits trying to force woman off road

A Blenheim man who tried to force a woman off the road and yelled racial abuse at a group of Vanuatuans has appeared in Blenheim District Court.

Damien Mark Richards, 22, unemployed, admitted six charges from incidents that happened last Friday, the Marlborough Express reported.

He was convicted and will reappear on June 22 for sentencing.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said Richards had been suspended from driving when he drove to a Blenheim backpackers on Friday and started verbally abusing vineyard workers from Vanuatu.

A series of dangerous driving manoeuvres followed, with Richards chasing a vehicle, trying to pass it, doing U-turns and nearly colliding with it head-on.

The woman driver stopped and locked herself in the car. The Richards then approached the car and began hitting the front passenger window with his elbow.

The woman then drove off, with Richards following again. He overtook her for the last time and carried on.

Police stopped him, but not before he had passed another car on the inside at about 100km/h.

When arrested he was found in possession of cannabis and utensils and he refused to undergo drink-drive testing.

He was charged with dangerous driving, driving while suspending, threatening behaviour, refusing to provide a blood sample, possession of cannabis and utensils, and disorderly behaviour.

Richards was convicted and placed on a 7pm-to-7am curfew and ordered not to consume alcohol or drugs or drive a motor vehicle.

- NZPA