Warning follows chainsaw threats

A South Wairarapa builder who threatened to cut up a police constable with a chainsaw was convicted of intimidation and breach of a protection order and ordered to complete 240 hours of community work.

In Masterton District Court on Tuesday Sergeant Garry Wilson told Judge Tom Broadmore Michael Charles Cutfield had frequently breached a protection order which had led to problems.

Defence lawyer Ian Hard said the incident had started with a phone call and escalated to the chainsaw comments. "It started with a phone call and has racheted up where Mr Cutfield is now facing serious charges. It was a stupid thing to say."

Cutfield, 46, was married for 16 years and has three children with his now estranged ex-wife. On August 20, 2010 his ex-wife and their children were granted a final protection order. Their separation was "bitter".

Sergeant Wilson said on December 6 last year Cutfield's ex-wife received a phone call from her daughter who was residing with her father. She overheard Cutfield speaking to their son on an alternate line and notified police.

On December 14 a constable went to Cutfield's address outside Martinborough to speak to him about the breach of his protection order.

The constable approached Cutfield who had walked through his house and out the back to his motorbike. He took fencing pliers from a toolbox on the vehicle. brandished them and ordered the constable off his property. He put the pliers down and started to walk into the house.

The constable followed, touched him on his shoulder and told him he was under arrest, however, Cutfield fled into the house and locked the door and dialled 111. He spoke to a police inspector and threatened to cut the constable up with a chainsaw if he didn't leave.

Other police came but he was not arrested until two days later.

Cutfield refused to comment but said he only picked up the pliers because they fell on the ground. He denied saying anything about a chainsaw.

Judge Broadmore gave Cutfield a "stern warning" about his protection order breaches and said if he kept breaking the law he would face the consequences.

In a separate matter, Cutfield was convicted of interfering with the odometer on his diesel vehicle and manipulating his road user charge. He was fined $3500 with $132 court costs.