March 26, 2010

Long jail term for 'gutless' attack on trial witness

By Anne Clarkson

Murry Christopher Orchard has gone to jail for eight-and-a-half years for what the judge called ?an unprovoked, gutless attack on an unarmed man?.

The man he attacked was a witness in a trial. Orchard, 45, had admitted charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and obstructing the course of justice.

Judge Jane Farish imposed the jail term at Orchard?s sentencing in the Christchurch District Court.

Orchard and Angela Georgina Manning, a 36-year-old Spreydon woman, had offered the witness cannabis to stay away from court and not give evidence at her trial on charges of threatening to kill and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

She had stabbed the man while he lay in bed, after a dispute.

Orchard sent a text message and told the witness where to pick the cannabis up and he arrived there with a friend.

Orchard took him around the back of the yard and struck him across the face with a 90cm long pick-axe handle.

The blow broke his eye socket and cheek bone, damaged his retina, and caused cuts to his face.

Orchard then threatened him and his friend not to give evidence or go to the police, and said gang members would hunt them down if they did. The friend took the man to hospital where he had to have reconstructive surgery.

Judge Farish said it was an extremely violent attack with a weapon. It was premeditated and caused serious injury.

?You attacked his head, it was an unprovoked gutless attack on an unarmed man?, she said.

She sentenced Manning to a further 10 months jail on top of the sentence she is already serving for the stabbing.