Threats continue right through to sentencing
File image. © Andrew Bardwell
Even at his pre-sentence interview with a probation officer, Shane Nathan Neale continued to threaten his ex-partner and said he would cut off his ankle bracelet if he got home detention.
He did not get home detention. Christchurch District Court Judge Jane McMeeken saw to that.
Instead, he has begun a 22-month prison term today on six charges: threatening to do grievous bodily harm, criminal harassment, misusing a telephone, using offensive language, reckless driving, and failing to stop and ascertain injury.
“What on earth did you think a probation officer would do with that information?” said Judge McMeeken. “Your arrogance is amazing.”
Neale had admitted all the charges and has been held in custody since May because of concerns about his continuing threats and the safety of his ex-partner.
The couple have two children from a 13 year relationship. They separated two years ago.
Defence counsel Stephanie Blake said the offending by 36-year-old Neale had arisen from his frustrations about “a perceived withholding of the children from him.”
Miss Blake said: “He has acknowledged that the pre-sentence report doesn’t read well. It is accepted that the comments he’s made do raise concerns about risk for the court to consider.”
Police prosecutor Chris Hunt said Neale’s criminal harassment began on the day in December when he was sentenced for an earlier charge of criminal harassment. Despite his arrest and remand in custody, it was clear that his feelings of anger towards his ex-partner had not even slightly abated.
He said the ex-partner had obtained a temporary protection order through the Family Court and it would become a final order in about six weeks.
The defence said Neale collided with another car while texting, but the police say he targeted and rammed the other car at an intersection and then gloated about it in texts to his friends.
Judge McMeeken said he had previous convictions for violence and had served prison terms.
“You firmly believe you have done nothing wrong. If this remains your view, you pose a very significant risk,” she told Neale.
She said he had done very significant damage to the other car when he rammed it on May 8. His own car had bull bars and received only minor damage.
The crash showed that his arrogance and sense of entitlement extended to the public as well as his ex-partner.
“The complainant has a protection order against you but still fears you,” said the judge.
Miss Blake told the court that Neale intended to move to Cromwell in Central Otago after his release, to take up work with his father.
Judge McMeeken said that in the pre-sentence interview, Neale blamed his ex-partner for what happened, made direct threats against her, threatened to kill her, and said he was confident that if he got an electronically monitored sentence he would cut the bracelet’s strap and be gone.
“There is a requirement that I protect the community,” said the judge, before imposing the 22-month jail term.
She also disqualified Neale from driving for nine months, imposed six months of post-release special conditions, and ordered confiscation of his 1992 Nissan vehicle.
Category: Focus
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