Mother-of-five who frequently flouted court orders escapes jail sentence
Laura Patea was caught driving twice in two months, despite being disqualified until 2024.
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Latest fromPublic Interest - Open Justice
'Oh my god': Witnesses recall the moment a mother was crushed by her own van
Krasimira Kraleva was crushed by her own van as it rolled backwards on a driveway.
Man used toy helicopter to film up skirts of 22 girls in Newmarket shopping mall
The youngest victims were 10 and some were in school uniform.
Assault victim suffers brain bleed and fractured skull in mass bar brawl
Wynton King was left 'fighting for his life' in an induced coma.
‘You’ve ruined two years of my life’: Teacher groomed teen as form of 'escapism in lockdown’
The two exchanged explicit messages for a fortnight during lockdown.
‘I was lonely’: Man’s repetitive indecent assaults on two boys
Glen Foreman's offending against the young boys stretched over 19 months.
Tyre technician told to ‘f*** off’ by boss set to receive $16,000 after unfair sacking
The boss says the ruling is unfair and is considering an appeal.
'I had bills to pay': Former teacher targets elderly in burglary, theft spree
The woman spent the stolen funds on groceries, alcohol, and cigarettes.
The baker v his boss: Employer forced to compensate worker over pay deductions
The baker claimed he wasn't allowed proper meal breaks but was instructed to record them.
Man, 51, grooms teen in 'secret' relationship, promises marriage
It came to an end when the girl's mum learned of the relationship and confronted the man.
‘I was testing out the light’: Drunk man points gun in campground
Stephen Lewer was drunk at the time, walking with the gun, pointing it up at trees.
Woman fleeced more than $42k from social club account
The theft was discovered when a member wanted to withdraw $10k but only $4 was available.
'At least I didn't kill her': Man tells police over assault on partner
The trio smashed their way into businesses in Tamahere, stealing money and alcohol.
'You were manipulated': Woman 'very sorry' for part in $8.7m mortgage fraud
Two couples bought houses with money obtained through fraudulent mortgage applications.
Slouching in court: Teen accused of jumping on mum, baby in tent rebuked by judge
The judge asked the man if he was tired before telling him to "stand up straight".
'Justice system a wrecking ball’: Pair's fight to clear their names
'They’ve absolutely destroyed my life... I'm trying to get justice and I'm still at it.'
Almost 900 wrongful convictions in 10 years a ‘wrecking ball’ in people’s lives
Compensation for miscarriages of justice in wrongful convictions is not a legal right.
Landlord ordered to pay compensation after renting illegal unit with fire risk
Profiting from renting dangerous and unlawful premises has to stop, tenancy tribunal rules
'This is for you': Man posts photo of knife to Facebook before stabbing woman
He went to her house and delivered on his threats hours after their social media exchange.
'Dismissal without notice': Luxury resort to pay $35k to fired wine sales manager
The wine sales manager had a yelling match with the big boss at a staff meeting.
North Waikato truck driver charged over cyclist's death
The 35-year-old's first appearance in court will now happen next month.
Golf coach sacked for refusing Covid vaccine awarded more than $15,000
The golf coach returned to his hometown to work for the club for just over a year.
Shopping mall child sex offender back in jail after 'blatant' supervision order breaches
Graham Bartlett was caught doing an indecent act on an infant at a shopping mall.
Table tennis and quiz champ: Convicted saboteur 'having a great time in prison'
'I’m having a great time. I’m the table tennis champion.'
‘I’m not a criminal, I’m a regular person’: Charges dropped against Parliament protester
Susan Denham describes her experience from inside the occupation.
Motel resident claims drunk sex assaults on manager just ‘fun and games’
He ignored the woman's pleas for him to stop and continued to grope her.
Failing to stop contamination of streams lands forestry company in court
A forestry company breached the rules by using heavy machinery in a stream bed.
How TV series Suits helped one Kiwi mum win her own legal battle
Watching TV helped Gillian Bearman get a few tips in fighting her own court case.
'I fought for my life': Why farmer ordered his son to chop off tip of teen intruder’s finger
Bill Burr says shooting the teen was a last resort and he's glad he didn't have to.
Drugs, sabotage and murder: Rotorua’s most notable criminal cases of 2022
From a saboteur and murderer to fraudsters and druggies; Rotorua sees it all.
What a dog fight: Neighbourly spat ends up in court
Canines Gus and Abby just didn't get along.
Drug smuggler and former kickboxing champ Karel Sroubek to be deported
The 41-year-old will be deported, an immigration body has ruled.
'He's been totally forgotten': Mum's battle for justice after son gunned down in gang house
Nelson had no links to gangs and police said he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”
'I miss him': The deadly consequences of drink-driving
One man has endured the tragedy of drink-driving for most of his life. He's not alone.