Shooter found guilty of assault

GUILTY: Claire Hanify has been convicted of assaulting Bevan Richards with a firearm - namely a gas-powered BB pistol. PHOTOS/ANDREW BONALLACK

Bevan Richards didn't realise he'd been shot in the neck by Claire Hanify until after police arrived and things had calmed down following a violent confrontation at his home about a debt he owed her.

Hanify, 43, was convicted of assault with a weapon - namely a gas-powered BB pistol - following a defended hearing in the Masterton District court this week before Judge Tony Walsh.

Hanify's defence was she hadn't taken the pistol to the house and Mr Richards had either shot himself or got one of his friends to shoot him so he could get away with not paying the debt owed.

Judge Walsh returned the guilty judgment yesterday, stating it was clear the witnesses for the police were credible.

Kirsty Williams had given evidence stating it could have been life-threatening to shoot someone in the throat.

The judge agreed.

"Clearly there was considerable ill feeling ... there is no evidence to show he shot himself in the throat ... such an act being life-threatening is valid."

Following Hanify being convicted Mr Richards spoke with the Times-Age about his ordeal.

He said it was clear she was intent on confronting him as she had arrived at the property in a highly "agitated state" with a concealed weapon.

"She came here with a gun - that was pretty premeditated," he said.

He thinks she drove around Featherston most of the day looking for his car after police refused to give her the address earlier in the day.

The court heard police were concerned about her motives.

"She was stalking Featherston trying to find out where I lived."

It wasn't a serious injury he received to the throat and he didn't even realise he'd been shot until the "adrenalin" had worn off when police arrived, Mr Richards said.

Slug guns and air pistols were weapons capable of causing serious injury or death so people needed to treat them as such, he said.

Meanwhile, he is pleased the case is drawing to an end with Hanify found guilty.

She previously pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful damage after smashing a window at the house during the violent confrontation.

'I'm just glad it's all over."

Mr Richards will be undergoing surgery in three weeks for doctors to remove the pellet lodged in his throat.

Judge Walsh remanded Hanify on bail for a pre-sentence report and sentencing on September 26.