May 14, 2010

Armed confrontation sentencing delayed

Sentencing of three men over an armed confrontation in central Christchurch has had to be delayed because of a dispute over the facts.

The three were remanded ? two in custody and one on bail ? to next week to set a date for a hearing where the victims may give evidence about the Antigua Street incident.

Police say an axe and a knife were used in the confrontation involving Kaelish Arlo Davies, 22, Corey Graham Nolan, 26, and Alex Mehlhopt, 23.

Counsel for Davies, David Ruth, today told Christchurch District Court Judge Michael Crosbie that the confrontation also involved some of the victims trying to punch Mehlhopt through the window of a car.

Davies said he stabbed someone after that person had tried to strike him with a bottle.

Mr Ruth acknowledged the new claims did not amount to self-defence and Davies did not seek to change his guilty plea.

Crown prosecutor Pip Currie said the victims denied the bottle attack but a broken bottle of the same type that the victims had been drinking from earlier had been found at the scene.

Judge Crosbie apologised for the delay to all involved in the case, including some of the victims who were at the court to see the sentencing.

Davies has admitted a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, Nolan admitted intentional damage and assault with a weapon, and Mehlhopt admitted possession of an offensive weapon, intentional damage, and assault with a weapon.

Mehlhopt was one of two men charged with Christmas morning burglaries at a Christchurch motor camp in which wrapped presents were stolen.