Man in AOS incident put under supervision

A Queenstown man who caused the armed offenders squad to swoop on a Frankton property has been sentenced. File photo

A Queenstown man who caused the armed offenders squad to swoop on a Frankton property in July was yesterday sentenced to intensive supervision and community work by Judge Mark Callaghan.

Final name suppression was also granted for the 21-year-old.

The man admitted charges of threatening to injure with intent to intimidate, assault and carrying an air rifle, all dated July 26.

At the time of the incident, police told the Otago Daily Times the man left a property with a weapon, resulting in an area around Frankton being cordoned off and nearby schools notified.

Defence counsel Liam Collins said the defendant was suffering from mental health issues and had other personal circumstances, which were ongoing, that partly explained his behaviour.

Having got into an argument he ultimately took the loaded air rifle into a public place.

''His thoughts were, effectively, focused on ending his own life.

''He thought better of that, hid it and returned [to the property].''

There, he was met by the AOS, presented himself and took them to where he had hidden the air rifle.

Mr Collins submitted community work was the appropriate sentence because it would give him a ''sense of purpose'' and would be better than confining him to an address and allowing him to ruminate and focus on the issues he was dealing with.

He also sought for an interim name suppression order to be made final, due to his personal difficulties and the impacts that would have on his family.

Crown prosecutor John Young said he was conflicted as to the appropriate sentence.

''On one hand, the defendant has not responded well to community-based sentences in the past. On the other hand, from a community perspective, addressing his issues may be the best outcome for the community and for the court.

''If his issues are addressed, perhaps the court won't see him back here.''

Judge Callaghan said the 21-year-old's offending on July 26 could potentially be summed up by a psychologist's report which said he had an underdeveloped impulse control and emotional regulation.

''You haven't really come to terms with how you must deal with situations as and when they arise.''

At the time the defendant was more than likely suffering from depression and, ultimately, when he was anxious it turned rapidly to anger.

While the offending was serious, Judge Callaghan took into consideration his personal difficulties.

''The court has to give you some assistance to stop offending.''

He was satisfied intensive supervision for 18 months, with special conditions to attend and complete programmes relating to alcohol and drugs and a departmental programme, along with any other programme deemed necessary, combined with 140 hours' community work would do that.