Masterton teen fined after night disturbance

Repeatedly banging on the front door of a Walton's Ave house in the middle of the night led to a young Masterton man being fined $200 and having to pay $132.89 in court costs.

Jason Dean Hart, 17, unemployed, yesterday pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court to a charge of disorderly behaviour.

The teen, who was last week sentenced on charges including stealing a motorbike, told police he was trying to retrieve his scooter.

Prosecutor, Sergeant Jodie Lawrence told JPs Neil Cameron and John Bunny that Hart had been at the house earlier where he had been drinking until he was intoxicated.

Later he went back to speak with a person living at the address who he had earlier had a disagreement with.

Hart walked up to the front door and began loudly banging on it. The occupants answered the door and told Hart to leave.

Hart walked away only to return a few minutes later, and this time carrying a wooden fence paling by his side.

He again started to pound on the door then walked away and headed towards Chapel St, throwing the paling away.

Police were called and Hart was arrested.

Sgt Lawrence said when spoken to, Hart admitted the offence and said he had gone to the house to get his scooter which he believed was there.

Hart was not represented by counsel in court and told the JPs that he had nothing further to say on the matter.

Last week, Hart was sentenced to 100 hours community work for breaking into a garage, stealing a motorbike and riding it dangerously, which caused injury to its owner, Briggs Pilkington.

He had pleaded guilty to both charges resulting from an episode on September 25 when Hart went to a Solway property and kicked in a shed door.