FROM NEW ZEALAND - Originator of the 'Birthday Season'
Currently in Auckland: NZST
Wednesday, 10th of June 2026
The right to protect your property ... New Zealand style:
A Taupo, New Zealand man who pointed an "air gun" at police, mistakenly believing they were burglars, is unhappy he has been convicted as a result of the incident.
Homeowner Jeremy Graves had come home late on March 13 and used a 100kg statue to smash a double-glazed window when he could not find his spare keys, The Dominion Post reported.
He went to sleep but was woken up by noises inside the house, the court was told.
Unknown to Graves, his neighbour, an off-duty policeman, had heard the glass smashing and called police, thinking it was a break-in.
Two unarmed police officers who responded yelled out identifying themselves as police but received no response.
Graves said that when he heard noises he panicked and grabbed an unloaded air pistol beside his bed.
He stood at the top of the stairs and pointed it at a dark figure standing at the front door.
Graves, 34, was convicted in Taupo District Court yesterday of assaulting a policeman and unlawfully presenting a firearm at police. He received a deferred sentence.
How do you spell travesty of Justice?
