A Queenstown bartender who was fired for wiping a large booze bill for a group of mates now has a conviction for his
actions.
Joe Nieddu, 29, was acting duty manager at waterfront bar and restaurant Pub on Wharf on June 14 when he served 24 free drinks, including shots and cocktails, to a group of patrons he knew.
He also let a $118 bar tab slide for another group of customers, later telling police he did so because they were ‘‘unhappy’’ with the size of the bill.
Over the course of his night shift he also knocked back four alcoholic drinks that he didn’t pay for.
The total loss to his employer was $427.
Nieddu admitted a charge of theft by a person in a special relationship when he appeared for sentencing in Queenstown’s
court last Monday.
Judge Brian Callaghan sent enced Nieddu to 65 hours’ community work and ordered him to pay back his former employer for
the loss.
Other convictions
● Sara Elizabeth Burr, 39, of Albert Town, aggravated drink-driving (732mcg), disqualified driving, Albert Town-Lake Hawea Road, January 1, six months’ community detention, 18 months’ intensive supervision, disqualified 28 days, alcohol interlock provisions.
● Aristotelis Arseniou, 22, student, of New South Wales, Australia, dangerous driving, Gorge Rd, Queenstown, August 28, disqualified six months.
● Martin James Jackson, 35, engineer, of Queenstown, aggravated drink-driving (547mcg), Lake Esplanade, August 20, fined $1250, nine months’ supervision, disqualified 28 days, alcohol interlock provisions.
● Derek Spence, 45, of Queenstown, drink-driving (126mg), Milford Rd, Te Anau, June 22, fined $1000, reparation $283.96, disqualified six months.
● Cayben Rapata-Brookland, 21, labourer, of Arthurs Point, assault with intent to injure, April 2, Queenstown, six months’ community detention, 12 months’ supervision.
● Mickyue White, 22, car cleaner, of Queenstown, disqualified driving, Hibiscus Coast Highway, June 15, 2021, Silverdale; theft, December 29, 2021, Auckland; theft, January 1, Auckland; theft, January 3, Auckland; theft, January 8, Auckland; obstructing police, intentional damage, February 20, Tasman District, 50 hours’ community work, 12 months’ supervision, reparation $1543.78.
