Latest news with #NelsonDistrictCourt
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Forklift driver jailed for raping teen
By Tracy Neal, Open Justice multimedia journalist Warning: This story references rape and sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers. A young woman who was raped by an older man she was socialising with still struggles to breathe when remembering the fear of him pulling her on to the bed that night. The woman told Shannon Douglas Telfar he would have no idea of how it felt to want to 'rip your own skin off', as a result of being indecently touched. She said everything about him, and how he had taken advantage of her and how he had created stories to protect himself, disgusted her. However, she said 'the truth always comes out', and after being sentenced on Friday to eight years' imprisonment, he would always be known for what he had done. A jury found Telfar, a forklift driver, guilty of indecent assault and rape, after a trial earlier this year. On Friday, the victim's mother said in a statement she read in the Nelson District Court that he had tried to hide behind the church but a true Christian lived by the values of God, and Telfar had not. The victim said she had learned that even people known to her 'can do bad things'. 'I still remember the look on your face when you forced me to touch you,' she said. Four years on, the young woman said she still had nightmares and was afraid of being alone with any adult man. The victim's mother acknowledged Telfar's family, some of whom were present for the sentencing, with many supporters. She said they too were victims, and her heart went out to those who continued to stand by him. 'Premeditated and persistent' Crown prosecutor Sophie O'Donoghue said the offending was premeditated and persistent. She said Telfar, 47, had control of his actions but chose to offend to satisfy his own sexual interests. The victim was vulnerable, there was a disparity in age, size and strength, and there has been a breach of trust. Defence lawyer Tony Bamford said the aggravating features were accepted. Judge Jo Rielly said Telfar was drinking and socialising with friends at home on June 23, 2021. The victim, who was in her late teens and knew Telfar, was also there socialising and drinking with the group. After the friends had left, Telfar and the victim went to different rooms. Telfar then began messaging her 'repeatedly', urging her to go to his room. Judge Rielly said the messages were 'pleading' and 'demanding' and ultimately, vulgar. Eventually, the victim went to his room, believing he was unwell, but when she handed him a bowl she thought he needed, he instead grabbed her and pulled her on to the bed. Judge Rielly said Telfar then raped the victim, who froze, unsure of what to do. About a month later, he indecently assaulted her at another social occasion but she was able to escape and call for help. 'Hurt and traumatised' Judge Rielly said Telfar had maintained that the events did not happen. He even gave evidence that the victim 'might have had a sexual interest in him'. However, the victim continued to struggle to understand how Telfar got any enjoyment from what he had done to her. 'She is disgusted, hurt and traumatised,' Judge Rielly said. She noted the family support Telfar had received and how those who knew him, including parents, siblings, children, stepchildren, his partner, ex-partner and others in the community, struggled to associate events with him. However, his use of alcohol on this occasion may have disinhibited him to act in ways others had not seen. Judge Rielly said it was clear Telfar had alcohol misuse issues but they were not linked to his behaviour, and neither could the court consider alcohol consumption as a mitigating factor. 'Nothing I say today is intended to reflect on you as a person generally, because it's clear you are a much-loved member of your whānau and community, but I need to focus on your offending behaviour and denounce that.' From the starting point of an eight-and-a-half-year prison, Telfar was given a modest credit for the impact his imprisonment would have on his youngest child. His release would be determined by the Parole Board. SEXUAL HARM Where to get help: If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:• Call 0800 044 334• Text 4334 • Email support@ • For more info or to web chat visit Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list. If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault. Safe to talk - He pai ki te kōreroSafe to talk - He pai ki te kōrero Sexual Harm. Do you want to talk? (2 MB) New Zealand PoliceNew Zealand Police Find Police stations by map New Zealand Police
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
South Island forklift driver jailed for raping teen
By Tracy Neal, Open Justice multimedia journalist Warning: This story references rape and sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers. A young woman who was raped by an older man she was socialising with still struggles to breathe when remembering the fear of him pulling her on to the bed that night. The woman told Shannon Douglas Telfar he would have no idea of how it felt to want to 'rip your own skin off', as a result of being indecently touched. She said everything about him, and how he had taken advantage of her and how he had created stories to protect himself, disgusted her. However, she said 'the truth always comes out', and after being sentenced on Friday to eight years' imprisonment, he would always be known for what he had done. A jury found Telfar, a forklift driver, guilty of indecent assault and rape, after a trial earlier this year. On Friday, the victim's mother said in a statement she read in the Nelson District Court that he had tried to hide behind the church but a true Christian lived by the values of God, and Telfar had not. The victim said she had learned that even people known to her 'can do bad things'. 'I still remember the look on your face when you forced me to touch you,' she said. Four years on, the young woman said she still had nightmares and was afraid of being alone with any adult man. The victim's mother acknowledged Telfar's family, some of whom were present for the sentencing, with many supporters. She said they too were victims, and her heart went out to those who continued to stand by him. 'Premeditated and persistent' Crown prosecutor Sophie O'Donoghue said the offending was premeditated and persistent. She said Telfar, 47, had control of his actions but chose to offend to satisfy his own sexual interests. The victim was vulnerable, there was a disparity in age, size and strength, and there has been a breach of trust. Defence lawyer Tony Bamford said the aggravating features were accepted. Judge Jo Rielly said Telfar was drinking and socialising with friends at home on June 23, 2021. The victim, who was in her late teens and knew Telfar, was also there socialising and drinking with the group. After the friends had left, Telfar and the victim went to different rooms. Telfar then began messaging her 'repeatedly', urging her to go to his room. Judge Rielly said the messages were 'pleading' and 'demanding' and ultimately, vulgar. Eventually, the victim went to his room, believing he was unwell, but when she handed him a bowl she thought he needed, he instead grabbed her and pulled her on to the bed. Judge Rielly said Telfar then raped the victim, who froze, unsure of what to do. About a month later, he indecently assaulted her at another social occasion but she was able to escape and call for help. 'Hurt and traumatised' Judge Rielly said Telfar had maintained that the events did not happen. He even gave evidence that the victim 'might have had a sexual interest in him'. However, the victim continued to struggle to understand how Telfar got any enjoyment from what he had done to her. 'She is disgusted, hurt and traumatised,' Judge Rielly said. She noted the family support Telfar had received and how those who knew him, including parents, siblings, children, stepchildren, his partner, ex-partner and others in the community, struggled to associate events with him. However, his use of alcohol on this occasion may have disinhibited him to act in ways others had not seen. Judge Rielly said it was clear Telfar had alcohol misuse issues but they were not linked to his behaviour, and neither could the court consider alcohol consumption as a mitigating factor. 'Nothing I say today is intended to reflect on you as a person generally, because it's clear you are a much-loved member of your whānau and community, but I need to focus on your offending behaviour and denounce that.' From the starting point of an eight-and-a-half-year prison, Telfar was given a modest credit for the impact his imprisonment would have on his youngest child. His release would be determined by the Parole Board. SEXUAL HARM Where to get help: If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:• Call 0800 044 334• Text 4334 • Email support@ • For more info or to web chat visit Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list. If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault. Safe to talk - He pai ki te kōreroSafe to talk - He pai ki te kōrero Sexual Harm. Do you want to talk? (2 MB) New Zealand PoliceNew Zealand Police Find Police stations by map New Zealand Police
Otago Daily Times
23-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
'Recipe for disaster': Judge slams man who left boys alone with loaded rifle
A man left two young boys on a beach with a loaded rifle while he went off fishing and drinking. Now he's been told off by a judge for his "stupid behaviour" that could have set the boys up for a lifetime of grief, after they tried to shoot a pig. "You left a 10-year-old and a 15-year-old with a loaded .308 rifle to go hunting on the island while you went drinking and fishing. "God knows who they might have shot and killed or wounded," Judge Tony Snell said in a scathing sentencing of Aaron Grant Pickering. The 50-year-old, who did not have a firearms licence after it was earlier revoked, later claimed to have tossed the rifle into the sea off d'Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds. Judge Snell said there was no way the boys could have known if anyone was nearby when they shot at a pig from the beach. To put it mildly, he said it was "stupid behaviour" on Pickering's part, that might have had devastating consequences for the boys if they had injured someone else. "It was a massive recipe for disaster," and the most serious offending of its type, Judge Snell said. Pickering, who was said by his lawyer to spend long periods at sea as a crew member on a Niwa vessel, today admitted in the Nelson District Court charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful hunting. The police summary of facts said the hunting trip was on private land on d'Urville Island. His firearms licence had been revoked in 2009 after a final protection order was made against him. In April 2013 Pickering inquired about getting his firearms licence back, but was told that a protection order was still in place, and to investigate how it might be discharged. The police summary of facts said the order remains in place. On January 8 Pickering, who lived in Marlborough's Rai Valley, about half way between Nelson and Blenheim, took the boys on the trip. At about 7pm that night he dropped the boys on a beach with the loaded rifle, which had a telescopic scope and a suppressor, and went off to a fishing spot. The police said Pickering continued drinking as he fished. A short time later the 10 year-old shot at a pig, but after a short search he and the other boy were unable to find the animal. Pickering tried to start his boat, but couldn't because of mechanical problems, so signalled to the driver of a boat nearby, who came to help. Pickering asked the people on board to collect the boys off the island, but when they found them, they asked the youngsters who had given them permission to hunt there. Neither was able to answer, and continually changed their story, the police said. Pickering later told the police that he had the rifle to "put meat on the table" and that he had thrown it into the ocean on return to Admiralty Bay. Defence lawyer Mark Dollimore said Pickering had "shot himself in the foot," with the charges, and accepted it was unlikely that the police or court might believe the rifle had been ditched. Judge Snell said he had read that with a "huge amount of scepticism". "I don't believe it has been thrown away", he said. Judge Snell said there were several aggravating features to Pickering's offending, including that he had been disqualified from holding a firearms licence, he was hunting on private land, which the owner knew nothing about, and he had left the boys with a loaded rifle. He said there was a lot at stake for Pickering, including his employment and in his personal life, but it was a "foolish act on many levels". Judge Snell said in sentencing Pickering to 120 hours of community work, and fining him $2000, that he was unlikely to ever get his firearms licence back now. He noted Pickering's previous offending, and said if there was any repeat of a firearms charge, he would likely end up in jail. Judge Snell added a final warning on Pickering's file. - Tracy Neal, Open Justice reporter
Otago Daily Times
23-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Judge slams man who left boys alone with loaded rifle
A man left two young boys on a beach with a loaded rifle while he went off fishing and drinking. Now he's been told off by a judge for his "stupid behaviour" that could have set the boys up for a lifetime of grief, after they tried to shoot a pig. "You left a 10-year-old and a 15-year-old with a loaded .308 rifle to go hunting on the island while you went drinking and fishing. "God knows who they might have shot and killed or wounded," Judge Tony Snell said in a scathing sentencing of Aaron Grant Pickering. The 50-year-old, who did not have a firearms licence after it was earlier revoked, later claimed to have tossed the rifle into the sea off d'Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds. Judge Snell said there was no way the boys could have known if anyone was nearby when they shot at a pig from the beach. To put it mildly, he said it was "stupid behaviour" on Pickering's part, that might have had devastating consequences for the boys if they had injured someone else. "It was a massive recipe for disaster," and the most serious offending of its type, Judge Snell said. Pickering, who was said by his lawyer to spend long periods at sea as a crew member on a Niwa vessel, today admitted in the Nelson District Court charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful hunting. The police summary of facts said the hunting trip was on private land on d'Urville Island. His firearms licence had been revoked in 2009 after a final protection order was made against him. In April 2013 Pickering inquired about getting his firearms licence back, but was told that a protection order was still in place, and to investigate how it might be discharged. The police summary of facts said the order remains in place. On January 8 Pickering, who lived in Marlborough's Rai Valley, about half way between Nelson and Blenheim, took the boys on the trip. At about 7pm that night he dropped the boys on a beach with the loaded rifle, which had a telescopic scope and a suppressor, and went off to a fishing spot. The police said Pickering continued drinking as he fished. A short time later the 10 year-old shot at a pig, but after a short search he and the other boy were unable to find the animal. Pickering tried to start his boat, but couldn't because of mechanical problems, so signalled to the driver of a boat nearby, who came to help. Pickering asked the people on board to collect the boys off the island, but when they found them, they asked the youngsters who had given them permission to hunt there. Neither was able to answer, and continually changed their story, the police said. Pickering later told the police that he had the rifle to "put meat on the table" and that he had thrown it into the ocean on return to Admiralty Bay. Defence lawyer Mark Dollimore said Pickering had "shot himself in the foot," with the charges, and accepted it was unlikely that the police or court might believe the rifle had been ditched. Judge Snell said he had read that with a "huge amount of scepticism". "I don't believe it has been thrown away", he said. Judge Snell said there were several aggravating features to Pickering's offending, including that he had been disqualified from holding a firearms licence, he was hunting on private land, which the owner knew nothing about, and he had left the boys with a loaded rifle. He said there was a lot at stake for Pickering, including his employment and in his personal life, but it was a "foolish act on many levels". Judge Snell said in sentencing Pickering to 120 hours of community work, and fining him $2000, that he was unlikely to ever get his firearms licence back now. He noted Pickering's previous offending, and said if there was any repeat of a firearms charge, he would likely end up in jail. Judge Snell added a final warning on Pickering's file. - Tracy Neal, Open Justice reporter
Otago Daily Times
02-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
'Cry for help' exposes man's serious addiction to 'child porn'
By Tracy Neal, Open Justice multimedia journalist Warning: This story covers topics including online child exploitation and attempted suicide that may be upsetting to some readers A South Island man's attempt at taking his own life opened a Pandora's Box on his addiction to child exploitation material. Now a judge has deemed the man's quick confession to the police was a cry for help but said it didn't excuse his actions. Nicolas Shaun Miller told the police after they found thousands of items of objectionable material on his computer that he had a 'serious addiction' to what he called 'child porn'. The confession to the police came about in 'unusual circumstances', Judge Jo Rielly said in the Nelson District Court. Crown prosecutor Daniel Baxter said it was a sad situation for all involved. Defence lawyer Mark Dollimore said in some ways, Miller's addiction had almost killed him. A boring, monotonous life The 31-year-old had been living alone in a caravan in Murchison, in the southern Tasman District, in what Dollimore described as 'squalid conditions'. Miller said he led a 'boring, monotonous life', and, when he was not working, he played video games and drank to excess. He no longer had much contact with family, he was alone and isolated, Dollimore said. He said that on November 17 last year when Miller had tried to end his life he had consumed cannabis, watched pornography and the reality of his situation and his addiction had overwhelmed him. Miller was taken to Nelson Hospital and treated for serious self-inflicted wounds. 'He came very close to killing himself. It was touch and go for him in ICU,' Dollimore said. Miller later said he had tried to take his own life because he knew he had a serious problem that he struggled with, but didn't know where to reach out for help. Miller believed his addiction might lead to contact offending with a child which he feared he might not be able to resist, and that he favoured a 'particular type' which he himself found abhorrent, Judge Rielly said. A cry for help She said Miller's effort to speak up was a cry for help, but it didn't excuse the illegal behaviour. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on seven charges, one of which was a representative charge, of knowingly possessing an objectionable publication. It wasn't until after mental health services had assessed Miller in November that a police investigation followed and he was charged. Miller had told a mental health staff member that he had been viewing 'child porn' for the previous two or three years, and the police were notified. After a search of his address, several electronic items, including a computer tower, were seized. Forensic examination of the tower suggested it contained objectionable material on about 16,000 files. A subsequent search confirmed 14,146 items as objectionable. Miller had also accessed websites that had bestiality content on them. The representative charge covered an 'extensive number' of images found on a hard drive, some of which were classified as the most serious of their type. Miller told the police that he viewed the images daily because they 'excited him' but he knew he had a major problem. Miller also told the police he understood that viewing child exploitation material was not a victimless crime, and that children endured 'horrific atrocities' in the making of such material, fuelled by viewers such as himself. He 'fessed up' early Dollimore said Miller had 'fessed up' early and had co-operated with the police in every way he could, and that he was desperate for help. Baxter said it was Miller's honesty that led to his offending coming to light, and the Crown was not opposed to credit being given for Miller's request for help. Judge Rielly said that from everything Miller had said, not only was he feeling extremely low about himself, but he was also very concerned about where his addiction might lead him. 'This was a very tragic situation that led to you disclosing what had been going on. It has to be said at that time you had insight that you needed, and wanted,help.' Judge Rielly said Miller also knew his behaviour could change for the worse and he did not want that to happen. In setting a prison starting point at five years, Judge Rielly said although Miller's relationship with his family was now strained, he had not sought to blame anything about his background for his offending. He was given credit for his early guilty plea and for demonstrating his remorse, his shame, his insight into the offending and his readiness to rehabilitate, to arrive at a sentence of three-and-a-half years on the representative charge and two-and-a-half years on the remaining charges, to be served concurrently. Miller was automatically registered as a child sex offender. Where to get help: • Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7) • Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)• Youth services: (06) 3555 906 • Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 • What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) • Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 • Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
