An Uruguayan man who went on a ‘‘rampage’’ in Wānaka is fortunate to be leaving the country with only financial penalties, a judge says.
Ignacio Allo Crosta, 26, whose erratic and aggressive behaviour continued in Queenstown last month, was due to leave for his home country on Wednesday in the care of his parents.
At his sentencing in Queenstown’s court this week, counsel Tanya Surrey said Allo Crosta’s offending was triggered by mental health issues and the unexpected withdrawal of a work offer and sponsorship.
The police summary of facts said he entered a Wānaka restaurant about 9pm on December 15 and yelled at the victim, who was sitting at a table with his partner.
Trying to incite a physical confrontation, he knocked the victim’s hat off his head before exposing his penis to the couple.
He was arrested in his vehicle a short time later and taken to the police station, where he refused to undergo an assessment for drug-impaired driving.
The defendant was aggressive and abusive, telling a constable ‘‘I drink your blood’’ and ‘‘I’ll smash your head in’’.
A search of his car uncovered 3g of cannabis and a grinder.
His belligerence continued at the Queenstown police station the next morning, where he urinated on the door of his cell and was ‘‘physically confrontational’’ with officers.
Finally, while in the resort on Christmas Day, he was riding a bike on the footpath in Church St when he yelled at three people to get out of his way.
Confronting one of the victims, he told him he would ‘‘kill you right here’’ if the police station were not across the road.
He then followed the trio into a convenience store, where, despite their efforts to de-escalate the situation, he continued to make threats, telling them ‘‘you three are dead already, because I’ll be looking for you’’.
He was charged with assault, disorderly behaviour, obscene exposure, refusing a compulsory impairment test, possessing cannabis, intentional damage and four charges of threatening language.
Surrey said Allo Crosta did not have a history of such behaviour in his home country, but had suffered mental health issues in New Zealand.
Judge Duncan Harvey said the defendant was a ‘‘very lucky young man’’ not to be receiving a harsher sentence, but it was desirable he undergo psychological treatment in his home country as soon as possible.
Although the victims had been on the receiving end of ‘‘appalling’’ behaviour, ordering the defendant to pay reparation for emotional harm would create unnecessary work for the police, who were keen to have the matter resolved and see the defendant leave the country.
He convicted Allo Crosta and ordered him to pay $1500 to Victim Support Services in Queenstown, and $63 to the police for the cost of cleaning the cell.
Other sentences
● Brendon Graham Follows, 54, retailer, of Hanley’s Farm, drink-driving (866mcg), Kingston Rd, January 1, fined $800, disqualified 28 days, alcohol interlock provisions.
● Karl David Martin Charles Macaulay, 29, salesman, British national, of Queenstown, drink-driving (170mg), careless driving, Gorge Rd,
October 29, medical and analyst fees $321.34, disqualified 28 days, alcohol interlock provisions.
● Cory-Lee Pakira Paratene Allen-Macdonald, 26, chef, of Fernhill, drink-driving (675mcg), Shotover St, October 21, 40 hours’ community work, disqualified six months.
● Mathias Brandoni Korstanje, 30, housekeeper, Argentinian national, of Frankton, drink-driving (779mcg), Frankton Rd, November 30, fined $400, disqualified seven months.
● Shamal Shavnit Lal, 27, housekeeper, Fijian national, of Queenstown, disqualified driving, Frankton Rd, December 11, fined $400, disqualified six months.
● Elie Manaia Flores, 28, building apprentice, French national, of Queenstown, careless driving causing injury, Gorge Rd, July 28, discharged without conviction, reparation $6575, disqualified six months.
● Louie Lanz, 38, tennis coach, of Queenstown, unlawfully in a building, January 20, fined $300.
● Clement Waledaot Wawia, 24, fruit picker, French national, of Cromwell, drink-driving (481mcg), Stanley St, Queenstown, January 28, fined $500, disqualified six months.
● Alden Neil John Hamilton, 38, chef, of Frankton, threatening behaviour, October 10, Queenstown, fined $500.
