Teen admits assaults using air pistol

File photo / NZH

Home and community detention has been ruled out for an 18-year-old Timaru youth who has admitted burglaries and three assaults using an air pistol.

Jamie Robin Laing, a fisherman, was remanded in custody for sentence on March 30 at Rangiora, after he admitted all the charges at a Christchurch District Court sitting inside the Christchurch Men's Prison today.

Judge Stephen Erber asked for a pre-sentence report and victim impact statements but said a home or community detention sentence "would be inappropriate".

Laing faces a jail term after admitting possession of equipment for using cannabis, wilful damage, three assaults using an air pistol, assault, two burglaries, and driving while prohibited.

Police prosecutor Constable Michael Tualii said Laing had twice broken into the canteen at the Maori Park Pool in Benvenue Avenue, Timaru, on January 18, where he had taken a large amount of confectionery.

He went to his father's address in Timaru, went inside without invitation, and demanded to know why his father had had him evicted from the backpacker hostel where he had been staying for three or four days.

He then pushed his father against a wall and demanded to know why he had accused him of stealing money in a complaint made to the police the previous day.

Laing then produced the air pistol that had been hidden in his pants and pointed it at his father and two women who were at the house.

He damaged one car at the house and pushed his father in the chest three times before taking his car. The car was found at another address nearby, and the air pistol by police in the backyard. Police also found a cannabis pipe in the vehicle.

- NZPA