Jail time: Brodie O’Rourke (left) and Michael Coulter in the dock during sentencing at Queenstown District Court on Tuesday
The mother of a man central to a brutal Queenstown kidnapping says he’s sorry for bringing shame to the community.
Tracey O’Rourke says her son Brodie O’Rourke – jailed this week for his part in the kidnapping and vicious group attack of Jason Scott Maynard – is sorry and not a bad person.
“He’s very upset he’s put the family through it and that they’ve made Queenstown look bad,” she tells Mountain Scene.
Brodie, a 24-year-old builder’s apprentice, was sent to Invercargill Prison for three-and-a-half years on Tuesday in Queenstown District Court after earlier pleading guilty to kidnapping and aggravated wounding.
Brodie’s best friend Michael Philip Coulter, 25, was also jailed for three years after admitting the same charges.
Judge Kevin Phillips said the men were at the forefront of the offending and found that the November 26, 2011 attack – involving a meat cleaver, a machete and balaclavas – was highly premeditated but the subsequent kidnapping was not.
The attack was sparked after Maynard sold Brodie and seven other locals fake ecstasy. Brodie called Coulter, who agreed to help the group in their attempt to “rough up” Maynard and get their money back. Brodie head-butted Maynard twice and held a meat cleaver to his throat.
Maynard was then bundled into a car, driven at speeds of up to 160kmh for two minutes, and then ejected in Arrowtown, the court heard.
Tracey says her son and Coulter know they’ve done wrong and deserved punishing – but she’s forgiven Brodie.
“He’s not a bad kid. He just made a bad decision on the night.
“He just kept saying, ‘Stop crying mum’. He said ‘I’m not dead and I haven’t lost a limb’. While he’s in there he’s going to put his head down and do some study, try to make it a positive thing.”
Brodie and Coulter have been in and out of court since they were teenagers.
Brodie has a 2010 conviction for disorderly behaviour and in 2005 was convicted for threatening behaviour for his part in terrorising an Australian couple in their campervan on Frankton Beach.
Tracey, who owns the Frankton Motor Camp with husband Graeme, says both convictions were alcohol-related.
“I suppose with the 2005 conviction, he was shaking them and telling them they can’t park there because they were freedom camping. Anybody knows him knows that he’s not a bad kid.”
Coulter has convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, assault and fighting in 2009, one for fighting plus disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence in 2007, an assault conviction in 2006 and three assault convictions in 2005. He was also convicted under dog control laws after a Bullmastiff-Staffordshire Bull Terrier in his care attacked five-year-old girl Eden Pritchard in Frankton in 2011. The dog was owned by O’Rourke.
Coulter’s mother Janetta Coulter, a teacher at Queenstown Primary School, declined to comment after the sentencing.
Coulter was sacked from a local panelbeaters before the brutal attack.
Panelbeater Dave O’Connor, who used to work with Coulter at the company but now manages Accidento Panelbeaters, recalls Coulter as a quiet, polite man.
“He was actually a very nice guy.”
Coulter and Brodie lived near each other in Frankton. It’s understood Coulter’s house – renowned for parties and loud music – is called the Coulter-sac and Brodie’s place is known as The Shed.
They now share a prison cell.
Tracey says Brodie has promised there’ll be no more crime committed.
“It’s good to see they’ve got their heads around it now and they know they’ve just got to take their medicine. They want to make the best of it.
“I’d like to thank friends and family for their support. It’s been pretty emotional. A lot of people only see what they’ve read in the paper. It’s a bit of a shame they’ve ended up in jail because they’re all hard-working kids.”
Daniel Kissell is serving eight months’ home detention, Jonathan Burke has been jailed for two years, three months and Samuel Coupe is in prison for two years, nine months for their involvement.
Rachel Maree Faul, 21, Charlotte Amelia Spencer Dickson, 18, and Brooke Sylvia Carpenter, 17, are yet to enter a plea.
Any trial is not expected until next year.
Your say
Patron your an ignorant idiot....
Should we blame your mother for this?
29 Jun 2012 12:42PMBluffy
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
The kid got his morals (or lack thereof) from his parents, so it is in public interest to know what's what.
28 Jun 2012 01:36PMPatron
Apologise Mountain Scene!
No comment means NO COMMENT! Why is it you have to print names and occupations which has no relevance to the story. Mikey and Brodie are so lucky to have such caring and supportive family and friends behind them. Mrs Coulter is the most amazing, genuine and humble person I know and have known for many years. MS should feel ashamed that you had to dig so low to print her name and occupation after you clearly stated NO COMMENT from Mrs Coulter. I would expect MS listen to there readers and print a front page apology in this weeks MS. Stay strong Mrs Coulter.
27 Jun 2012 09:45PMDodo10
A written apology required!
Very dissipointing excuse for well rounded journalism here by the MS, the negative light is shining right down on the writers of this dribble, Qtown is a gorgeous small community and Mrs Coulter is a pivotal member making a difference to lives in YOUR community! A fabulous hard working lady and your trying to tarnish all her hard work and reputation! Front page apology is the start of what you can do to fix this atrocious and un called for naming of one of QTowns favorites.
27 Jun 2012 07:30PMHarley01
Not sure why anyone would be surprised by the level of indiscretion on the part of the Mountain Scene in this story - it has, after all, been at the forefront of this story from the get go, pretty much assuming guilt on all involved well before they were brought to trail. it would be a well learned lesson for the MS to determine the difference between sensational journalism and sensationalist journalism!
23 Jun 2012 09:15PMMiggs
Typical
Sorry to say this "newspaper" is written by a bunch of muckrakers. No wonder the locals and advertisers are turning away from it in droves.
23 Jun 2012 08:50PMnzmick
Poor Form
Why not publish the names and addresses and for that matter mobile phone numbers of the MS reporters so the readers can give them a hard time for exposing innocent people wiilly nilly who are not relevant in alot of MS stories.You can complain to the Press Council, but guess what, it is owned by the newspapers, so the fox is with the chickens!
23 Jun 2012 01:48PMOhBoy
Someone needs to go back to Reporting School
CELIA - I have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs Coulter and I hold her in very high esteem. What part of no comment didn't you understand - You obviously have no heart -
23 Jun 2012 01:35PMStephenie
Totally Insensitive
These adult men pleaded guilty to this crime. They are now doing the time. They have time to think about their actions that night and the pain they have inflicted on their victims. Mrs Coulter is one of those victims. She chose not to comment to Mountain Scene. Why on earth did you not respect her wishes by printing her name and occupation? Surley she is suffering enough! Very disappointing Mountain Scene.
22 Jun 2012 09:48PMrubyheart
Low Blow Mountain Scene
I couldn't agree more with all the comments made here, I cannot see what MS is achieving by printing personal details and making things any harder for this woman, or any other member of these families.The names and occupations of any of these family members have absolutely no relevance to this story. As seahorse has mentioned, I hope Mrs Coulter is surrounded by many caring people and wish only the best for her during this difficult time.
22 Jun 2012 02:40PMblander
Worthy of an apology I say!!
Totally agree with all the comments here, its sad to see MS using their name and shame tactics on a well respected and wonderful lady. Her details included in this article have no relevance whatsoever, especially when she never provided any of these details to you. She's probably thinking things could not get any worse for her and then you lot drive the stake through her heart, and if you know her, you would know how big that heart is - you guys are pure MEAN and Celia you have sunk to an all new low. Apologise in next weeks edition.
22 Jun 2012 01:05PMBluffy
I agree with all the coments below, this is disgusting that MS would publish not just the full name but the ocupation of Mrs Coulter. She had said no comment and did not want to be involved in the article but MS takes it on themselves to make her included. Yes SHAME ON YOU MOUNTAIN SCENE.
22 Jun 2012 12:11PMQtownlocal
I agree Seahorse- they guys (and girls) are adults and made their own choices. I totally understand why their parents have stuck by them but allow the families some privacy- I'm sure they are going through a tough enough time as it is.
22 Jun 2012 11:52AMbusyab1980
Uncalled for MS!
I couldn't agree more. Mrs Coulter cannot be held responsible for the actions of her adult son. Why did MS feel that Mrs Coulters personal details were of any relevance to this story!?!? Especially when she has made a point of declining to comment. I think MS have over stepped the mark, printing her name and personal details, presumably as payback because she declined to comment for their story. Mrs Coulter is a valued and respected member of the Wakatipu community and it appears that MS have made an intentional attempt at publicly shaming her, when she has nothing to do with the 'incident' that took place.
Will you also be printing personal details of the rest of the family in the next edition???? In fact, why not print their address and phone number as well so we can put the family through more hell?
22 Jun 2012 11:48AMFather Ted
Needs to be said
I have to agree with seahorse22. I don't think there was any call to mention one of the offenders mothers and more particularly her occupation when she made the justified call not to comment on something that number 1, she had nothing to do with and number 2 she did not want to get involved with anymore than absolutely necessary. If any mother is put in this situation I believe any son or daughter would be annoyed that the paper had to drag her into it particularly when she works so hard to serve the young community. It may have been an honest mistake by the MS however I do consider they should be more careful when involving people in their stories in this manner in such a small community, particularly after those people made it clear they did not want to be involved. Hopefully the people of our community will know that Ms Coulter has the right to get on with things particularly when she had no control over what happened. As for the MS reporting, in the future please consider the effects of such reporting on innocent parties and consider how you, as writers, would feel if the effects of such unnecessary reporting were on members of your family.
22 Jun 2012 11:42AMDBD
Agreed Seahorse. The mother has been through enough, naming her and her workplace is going too far when she has declined to comment. But then that doesnt surprise me from the Mountain Scene, all too often creating drama where there is none or sensationalising mundane topics. Its poor, below-the belt journalism. More shame on you.
22 Jun 2012 11:37AMlewis
Shame on you Mountain Scene
Interesting point...one of the mothers of these guys has declined to comment, which would suggest she does not want her details going to print, HOWEVER MS has done the digging and decided to print her full name and occupation, as if this lady hasn't had a rough enough time, bet she is having a wonderful day at school today - NOT...!! She hasn't done anything wrong, these guys are adults and responsible for their own actions, MS you could have respected her request and used your discretion in this instance, she plays a huge role in this tiny town, dedicating many many years in doing so. Despite your cruel intentions MS to knock a person when they are down, I'm sure Mrs Coulter is surrounded by the many caring and supportive people of our community.... Keep your head up Mrs Coulter!
22 Jun 2012 10:52AMseahorse22
Have your say
You will need to register or login before you can post a comment.
