Pensioner may face charges over AOS callout

A Wanganui pensioner who sparked an armed police callout when he confronted teenage vandals with an air rifle may face charges.

Terry Taylor, 67, said he had had enough of youths damaging the "for sale" sign at his home in Tawhero Street. It had been tagged or destroyed more than 10 times in 18 months.

When he heard six teens kicking it down on February 25 he opened his door and stood on the patio with the rifle across his chest, the Dominion Post reported today.

The youths fled, with one of them shouting "Run, he's got a gun".

Mr Taylor pointed the rifle at one of the youths who ran toward him, but did not fire.

He said he got a phone call from police about 20 minutes later.

They told him to walk outside with his arms in the air, and warned him he could be shot they spotted anything in his hands.

Mr Taylor, who is on heart medication, was anxious to know whether he would be prosecuted.

Sergeant Cathy Dalton said three police cars with armed officers went to Mr Taylor's home.

His behaviour was "unacceptable", and he could face charges, she told the newspaper.

Lawyer Greg King said people could take "reasonable steps" to defend themselves or property, but taking an air rifle to confront someone breaking a sign could end up in someone dying.

Two men are presently facing a depositions hearing in Manukau District Court charged with murdering undercover police office Don Wilkinson last September.

It is alleged John Skinner and Iain Clegg shot Mr Wilkinson dead using a high-powered air rifle.

- NZPA