While police investigating two assaults were calling at a man’s St Albans house, the disqualified driver drove into the driveway.

“When you are languishing in the cells at the prison, you might find you are not very busy.”

“The headmaster’s office will be open in the New Year.” – District Court Judge John Strettell.

“You are lucky I’m not Judge Erber.”

A man’s slapping of his problem teenage daughter has brought a $500 fine.

Judge Phillip Moran took an over-enthusiastic offender in his stride when the No 2 District Court crossed by video-link to Christchurch Men’s Prison.

This appears to be why the police are reluctant to accept that people just don’t notice when they make nocturnal bail checks to ensure that people are at home as required.

A judge visiting from Dunedin, District Court Judge Stephen Coyle, set out a no-nonsense approach to the sentences he was imposing in one of Christchurch’s police courts.

Judge’s moving house comment keeps work at the Court House in perspective.

“I am meant to say ‘foreperson’ because that is what the Act says, but I am sorry, I just can’t bring myself to do it.”