Rethink for violent offender after month in custody
File image. © Andrew Bardwell
A month in custody has brought an attitude rethink for violent offender Norton Lindsay Adams but he has still been given a 17-month jail term for his surprise assault on a police officer.
The assault happened when Adams was being transferred from the Rangiora Police Station he had trashed to the Central Police Station in Christchurch.
The officer was taken by surprise when he was repeatedly punched. Afterwards, he spent time in a neck brace, had concussion, and on-going chiropractic issues.
Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish yesterday told 22-year-old Adams: “A warning needs to be sent to you and other persons in custody that unprovoked assaults at this level will result in custodial sentences.”
She jailed him for 17 months, with six months of post release conditions when he will have to undergo treatment for anger management and alcohol abuse issues.
Defence counsel Tom Stevens said Adams was now regretful for his actions and his attitude that led to him being locked up for a month ahead of sentencing when he would not co-operate with probation. “He apologises for his behaviour,” said Mr Stevens.
Adams wanted a term of community detention at his grandmother’s address, where he could support her with her health needs and provide financial assistance.
Judge Farish said Adams had been obnoxious and violent after being arrested for being unlawfully in a yard when he gatecrashed a party at Rangiora. He had smashed the interview room at the police station, threatened that officer, and assaulted the other officer with intent to injure him. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
“You displayed a negative attitude towards all authority,” said the judge. “There is a different attitude in terms of the letter you have written for the court today. Maybe the remand in custody has indicated to you that this is not somewhere you want to spend the rest of your life.”
But she said that because of the nature of the assault on the officer and the level of violence, she was not prepared to sentence him to anything but a jail term.
Category: News
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