Northland man jailed for dragging police officer behind car

File photo / NZH

A district court judge has rejected home detention for a Whangarei man who dragged a police officer behind his vehicle while trying to escape.

Judge John McDonald warned that injuring a police officer stopping motorists from drink driving was totally unacceptable and those found guilty should not expect any mercy from the courts.

He made the comments while sentencing William Henwood, 29, a bricklayer, in the Whangarei District Court last week to two years in jail on a raft of charges.

They include reckless driving causing injury, failing to remain stopped, aggravated assault on police, resisting arrest, misuse of telephone, failing to accompany police for a blood test, theft, and breach of community work.

Defence lawyer Wiremu Puriri made an impassioned plea in favour of home detention, saying his client had pleaded guilty early and wanted to turn his life around.

Police prosecutor Paddy Woods said Henwood was fortunate the police officer who stopped him was not seriously injured.

Henwood had a shocking driving history and had a problem with authorities and police, he said.

Judge McDonald said Henwood was sentenced to 100 hours' community work in October 2009 on a charge of threatening behaviour.

He only completed 9 hours and failed to report to the Corrections Department.

On June 6, 2010, he filled up his Mercedes at a Gull service station in Tauranga and left without paying.

On June 18, he was stopped by police doing 148km/h on State Highway One and he gave a false name.

When the officer went back to the patrol car to check his identity, he took off, reaching 178km/h and managed to escape.

On July 4, he called 111 from his Whangarei home and introduced himself as Mike Jones of Anzac Rd. He told the operator he saw gang members pointing firearms at a neighbouring house and when questioned further, he hung up.

An Armed Offenders Squad was called but did not find anything in the house that belonged to his ex-partner.

About 6.35am on New Year's eve, he was stopped at a police checkpoint at Springs Flat, Kamo and asked to accompany an officer to a booze bus.

Judge McDonald said Henwood remarked: "F*** this, I'm out of here."

When the officer reached out the window to turn the ignition off, he was dragged a short distance before Henwood took off.

Henwood was found four hours later and police had to use a dog to subdue him.

He has 53 previous convictions, of which four are for breach of community work.

"A strong, stern message has to be sent out to people that when police say stop, they must stop. When police tell them to remain stopped, they must remain stopped," Judge McDonald said.