May 18, 2010

Sentencing over street fracas to go ahead

The crown has decided against a disputed facts hearing for three men who have admitted their involvement in a late night street confrontation between groups, at which an axe and a knife were used.

The sentencing of the three was delayed on Friday when a claim was made that one of the opposing group had used a bottle in an attack before the stabbing took place on April 26 last year.

The confrontation involved Kaelish Arlo Davies, 22, Corey Graham Nolan, 26, and Alex Mehlhopt, 23. Davies 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.

The sentencing was delayed for a further hearing after the defence allegations were raised on Friday and the crown has now decided that the claims could not be ruled out.

Crown prosecutor Pip Currie said that two of the accused had made statements soon after the incident about one of the opposing group having a bottle. Glass of the same type as the other group was drinking from was found at the scene.

She said the other group admitted they were drinking at the scene of the night?s final confrontation of a series of incidents, but denied a bottle had been used as a weapon.

The crown did not wish to proceed with a disputed facts hearing.

After the further discussions before Judge Michael Crosbie in the Christchurch District Court today, the sentencing has now been set for Friday afternoon.