Latest from District Court

Mum of Phillips children in court on driving charge hours after fugitive dad shot dead

She appeared in Te Kūiti District Court on Monday after being stopped by police last month

Man forced his way into stranger's home before sex assault

A judge described the invasion as 'a worst nightmare’ for those living alone.

'I cry every day': Mother's grief as drug-driver avoids jail after double-fatal crash

Kyan Stack, 20, was sentenced for causing two deaths while drug-impaired.

From car yard to courtroom: Dealer sentenced over 'significant' Clean Car rebate fraud

Hamish Gardyne falsely claimed rebates on 119 Nissan Leafs in early 2023.

‘Thought we were under attack': Man wakes to find home and sleepout on fire

Maya Moore, who leased some land from him, is accused of lighting the fires.

‘Should have been you, boy’: Emotions run high at sentencing of motorcyclist who caused fatal crash

The pair met that fateful day but only one would survive the night.

'You live with it every day': Head Hunter dragged his pet dog to death while fleeing police

Adrenaline was replaced with guilt when he realised what he had done, his lawyer said.

'Unsettling': Stolen $130k trophy reappears in woman's home nine months later

Manawa Hepi broke down in court after hearing the owner didn't hold a grudge.

'High-risk' shoplifter hides stolen loot in pram, takes 5 vacuums in two weeks

In total, the young mum stole $8546 worth of items over several months.

'I was wary of her': Woman accused of arson allegedly had a volatile temper

Witness claims Maya Moore said she wanted to do something that would get her jailed.

Community detention for man's role in road rage shooting of 15yo girl

Sione Ngata didn't fire the gun, but he also hasn't shown much remorse, the judge said.

'Unsustainable caseloads': Chief Justice laments too few judges, not enough courts

Criminal trials are becoming longer and more complex, now lasting more than three weeks.

'No one's going to be safe': Neighbour recalls woman's chilling words before fires were lit

Maya Moore denies setting fires at two Wairarapa properties in 2022.

'Completely unacceptable': Supermarket manager attacked while restocking shelves

The next day, Shamah Riley tried to strangle a prison inmate over a piece of bread.

Violence charges dropped for well-known man after restorative hui

Judge John Bergseng granted the man permanent name suppression.

'This is my kill': Social media post about cheating leads to terrifying attack

The victim was dragged by the hair before one of the attackers tried to cut it.