Articles from ‘elocal magazine’ in ‘Crime’

A New Zealand Police staffer is before the courts facing 39 charges, including allegations of rape, kidnapping, indecent assault and unlawful sexual connection. The case is one of 10 active prosecutions arising from investigations by the Police National Integrity Unit, according to information obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Sam Sherwood, National Crime Correspondent for RNZ HERE · RNZ…

Three years after Sidney Ross Bridson was killed at his isolated Waitaanga property, the two men convicted of his murder have been sentenced in the High Court at New Plymouth. The sentencing brought renewed focus to the impact of Bridson’s death on a family that described him as a generous, caring man whose life was taken before his time. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Tara Shaskey for RNZ / New Zealand Herald HERE · Sidney Ross Bridson,…

Waikato Comancheros boss Junior Heart was allegedly awaiting a 270kg shipment of methamphetamine from overseas when police arrested him in June 2021, the Crown has told a High Court jury. Heart has already pleaded guilty to 73 charges, but continues to defend 37 drug, firearms and violence-related charges arising from Operation Equinox. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Belinda Feek for the New Zealand Herald, republished by RNZ — read the…

Television producer Alexander Breingan has been ordered to return to New Zealand from Los Angeles to face 33 charges arising from an alleged $14.5 million funding and lending fraud. The case extends beyond private finance: more than $4.3 million of the money at issue was Government-funded screen-production rebates, and the investigation originated after concerns were referred by the New Zealand Film Commission to the Serious Fraud Office. eLocal…

The murder of Tūrangi mother Cheri-Lee Bell followed months of escalating harassment, threats and breaches of a protection order by her former partner. Lance Dickinson has now been sentenced to life imprisonment, with the court finding numerous aggravating features in the killing. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Ric Stevens for the New Zealand Herald, republished by RNZ HERE. · Lance Dickinson has been sentenced to life imprisonment with…

A Waikato man previously imprisoned for serious child-sexual exploitation offending has been jailed again after objectionable material was found on his phone just weeks after his release. Michael John Loye received a 25-month prison sentence, with the court hearing that an extended supervision order is expected to apply again when he is released. Waikato Man Jailed After Child Exploitation Material Found Weeks After Prison Release · Michael…

Residents of a quiet Wattle Downs street have described the frightening moments surrounding a suspected double homicide in which a man and woman were found dead. Police say a 30-year-old man is in custody and is being spoken to as investigators work to establish whether he was involved. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Jessica Hopkins for RNZ HERE. · A South Auckland neighbourhood remains at the centre of a double-homicide investigation…

An Auckland man who fatally strangled his partner in her Avondale home has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison. The High Court heard Hao Feng had two previous reports of strangling Xiaoyan Wang on his police file, including one incident in which she was reportedly rendered unconscious. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Amy Williams, Senior Reporter for RNZ, HERE. · Hao Feng, 37, appeared in the High Court at Auckland on…

A practising lawyer has been convicted of assaulting his 12-year-old son during a boxing session, leaving the child hospitalised for three nights. The case also raises questions about professional accountability after the judge said the lawyer used his knowledge of the legal system to delay proceedings, while the Law Society confirmed a criminal conviction does not automatically prevent a lawyer from continuing to practise. eLocal Report: Based…

A North Shore man facing two murder charges and one charge of attempted murder can now be named after his interim name suppression lapsed. Marc Govinden is accused of murdering his parents, Raman and Rooksana Govinden, before attempting to murder his brother Andrew. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Felix Walton for RNZ. · Accused Appears in High Court · Marc Govinden appeared in person at the Auckland High Court, where Justice Mathew Downs…