Thread: Another Slap on the Wrist

I read this disappointing article in the ODT this morning, although I shouldn't be surprised:


March 04, 2024, Otago Daily Times

AN ‘‘ enraged’ ’ Hawea man without a firearms licence fired a shot in anger after seeing another group of hunters in the Remarkables.

Isaac Roberto Macdonald-Maynard , 24, was guiding three people on a hunting trip in the Otago mountain range on March 31, 2022, when he saw the other hunting party about 400m away. A police summary of facts says he recognised two of them as hunters he had guided in the same location the year before. He became ‘‘ enraged they had returned to the same spot, and began yelling obscenities and abuse at them’ ’ before firing a shot into the ground near him.

At a hearing in the Queenstown District Court last week, the apprentice builder was sentenced on charges of recklessly discharging a firearm and unlawfully possessing a firearm, as well as two charges of suspended driving. Although suspended because of excess demerit points, the defendant was caught driving twice in the space of a week: the first time while speeding on the Manuka Gorge Highway on February 11 last year, and the second time in Frankton Rd, Queenstown. On the latter occasion, he told police he was on his way back from the Glenorchy area after helping in the search for a friend who had gone missing while hunting.

Counsel Megan Waller asked Judge Russell Walker to discharge the defendant without conviction on the firearms charges and the second suspended driving charge. He had fired one shot into the ground to alert the other hunting party he was in the area, and had not intended to frighten or intimidate them. Convictions would reduce the likelihood of his firearms licence being reinstated, and therefore his ability to return to his previous work as a hunting guide, Ms Waller said. They would also have consequences for overseas travel, particularly to Canada, Ms Waller said.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said Macdonald-Maynard had lost his firearms licence in 2021 because of behaviour that had led to him failing the legal ‘‘ fit and proper person’ ’ test, not because of convictions. Therefore it was a ‘‘ flawed argument’ ’ to say the reinstatement of his licence relied on avoiding convictions. Judge Russell Walker said the defendant had seven prior convictions and an extensive demerit history. ‘‘ You don’t appear to regard rules as applying to you.’’ Additional convictions were unlikely to affect his ability to have his firearms licence reinstated, or his ability to travel to Canada. While hunting without a firearms licence, he had become angry and yelled obscenities at other hunters. ‘‘ You fired a shot that could only be intended to frighten or intimidate.’’

Macdonald-Maynard was convicted on all charges except the second suspended driving charge, for which he received a discharge without conviction. He was sentenced to 75 hours’ community work, fined $350, court costs of $130 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Originally Posted by planenutz

I read this disappointing article in the ODT this morning, although I shouldn't be surprised:


March 04, 2024, Otago Daily Times

AN ‘‘ enraged’ ’ Hawea man without a firearms licence fired a shot in anger after seeing another group of hunters in the Remarkables.

Isaac Roberto Macdonald-Maynard , 24, was guiding three people on a hunting trip in the Otago mountain range on March 31, 2022, when he saw the other hunting party about 400m away. A police summary of facts says he recognised two of them as hunters he had guided in the same location the year before. He became ‘‘ enraged they had returned to the same spot, and began yelling obscenities and abuse at them’ ’ before firing a shot into the ground near him.

At a hearing in the Queenstown District Court last week, the apprentice builder was sentenced on charges of recklessly discharging a firearm and unlawfully possessing a firearm, as well as two charges of suspended driving. Although suspended because of excess demerit points, the defendant was caught driving twice in the space of a week: the first time while speeding on the Manuka Gorge Highway on February 11 last year, and the second time in Frankton Rd, Queenstown. On the latter occasion, he told police he was on his way back from the Glenorchy area after helping in the search for a friend who had gone missing while hunting.

Counsel Megan Waller asked Judge Russell Walker to discharge the defendant without conviction on the firearms charges and the second suspended driving charge. He had fired one shot into the ground to alert the other hunting party he was in the area, and had not intended to frighten or intimidate them. Convictions would reduce the likelihood of his firearms licence being reinstated, and therefore his ability to return to his previous work as a hunting guide, Ms Waller said. They would also have consequences for overseas travel, particularly to Canada, Ms Waller said.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said Macdonald-Maynard had lost his firearms licence in 2021 because of behaviour that had led to him failing the legal ‘‘ fit and proper person’ ’ test, not because of convictions. Therefore it was a ‘‘ flawed argument’ ’ to say the reinstatement of his licence relied on avoiding convictions. Judge Russell Walker said the defendant had seven prior convictions and an extensive demerit history. ‘‘ You don’t appear to regard rules as applying to you.’’ Additional convictions were unlikely to affect his ability to have his firearms licence reinstated, or his ability to travel to Canada. While hunting without a firearms licence, he had become angry and yelled obscenities at other hunters. ‘‘ You fired a shot that could only be intended to frighten or intimidate.’’

Macdonald-Maynard was convicted on all charges except the second suspended driving charge, for which he received a discharge without conviction. He was sentenced to 75 hours’ community work, fined $350, court costs of $130 and disqualified from driving for six months.

And here I was thinking that we'd be seeing a difference for the better with the new broom. Should know better by now, I suppose.

Those sort of fines would be cheaper than paying the license fees if you didn't get caught too often. Like watching a scumbag walk out of Bunnings with a weedeater without paying while the rest of us queued up and paid like idiots, No real consequences. I'm sure some people were thinking "what if I"

Originally Posted by outlander

And here I was thinking that we'd be seeing a difference for the better with the new broom. Should know better by now, I suppose.

There are laws that have to changed and put into effect before you’ll see any changes in judiciary or sentencing

Not sure what penalty you wanted? Sticking this dude in prison would likely make him worse not better.
He's unlikely to change until he grows a brain and it dawns on him that he has buggered his rifle hunting and US/Canada travelling opportunities.

Parliament cant direct Judges, they can only change the law.

So the boy was angry is because those guys he guided before that came back to the same spot without telling him?

Originally Posted by Black Rabbit

So the boy was angry is because those guys he guided before that came back to the same spot without telling him?

It would appear that way

Originally Posted by outlander

And here I was thinking that we'd be seeing a difference for the better with the new broom. Should know better by now, I suppose.

Obviously “fit and proper” has loose interpretations going by the judge’s comments

just waiting for the GG outcome.....its going to be a farce

Just a reminder lads let's leave Politics out of it, or the thread will be killed off like a few other recent threads.
This is not aimed at anyone, just like to nip it in the bud now

Originally Posted by dannyb

Just a reminder lads let's leave Politics out of it, or the thread will be killed off like a few other recent threads.
This is not aimed at anyone, just like to nip it in the bud now

sorry dan

Originally Posted by dannyb

It would appear that way

I can `t think of why? He is a hunting guide so he should try to build his rep in local area, not ruin customers relation by shooting at them.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

sorry dan

Wasn't aimed at you, just know the type of reaction these threads generally cause

Did the "Firearm Prohibition order bill" get passed ? Looks like a likely contender with this article.

Originally Posted by Black Rabbit

So the boy was angry is because those guys he guided before that came back to the same spot without telling him?

that is considered very poor form..no matter WHO took you into an area,you dont go back into it without consulting them first.... or nobody would ever show anyone else a place to hunt or take them for a hunt incase they come back and thrash the place..which happens unfortunately.
but his reaction is way over the top....