In which case, the police are being dishonest about the reasoning for not offering diversion?

I suspect so, (or my name isn't Sofie and had this done to her before) and any sane Judge now will suggest to the police that they have indeed wasted the public's money and the courts time. I cannot imagine a Judge now would…

He initially pleaded guilty, until it became clear that the police were not going to consider diversion.

What chance do the innocent have against such technology?.

The mistaken belief at the time of the Port Arthur massacre that Aspergers makes people go on rifle rampages.

The police statement that diversion hasn't been offered because he hadn't admitted guilt seems bizarre. He seems to admit that he was taking the lightbulbs, something isn't right there?

No army guys huh?

Well, quite. Goff's response to the SAS stories was more substantial than I had expected, and certainly nothing like the despicable denial character assasination that came from John key.

I can't really see any equivalence at…

Cornelius Arie Smith-Voorkamp, a fine young man who has Asperger’s Syndrome, was allegedly caught…

The building owners were astonished and extremely concerned that someone had been prosecuted for the burglary, he said.

and from the later article we have the…

But Inspector Erasmus said tonight: "We have met with Mr Smith-Voorkamp and his lawyer twice and no complaint has been made.

"Claims that Australian police or Army personnel were involved are also spurious – neither organisation…

I beg to differ. It seems to be all about a certain sort of politics.

I'd guess the national director of prosecutions, or whatever the role is called. Doubt it went any higher than that, if only because that's the decision that came back down. It's clearly one made with no cognisance of the…

So basically the only 'crime' was withholding salvageable material from the demolition contractors. Unbelievable.

The building owners were astonished and extremely concerned that someone had been prosecuted for the burglary, he said.

Understandably so: the building was a shop damaged and abandoned after the September quake, months before. It was going to be demolished, for goodness sake.

Christchurch police subsequently referred the matter to New Zealand's police headquarters who told local officers to refuse the option of diversion.

Can someone find out how high up that decision came from?

Sigh

The sentencing was meant to be held at a Christchurch District Court sitting in the Rangiora Court House today but instead leave was granted for his guilty pleas to be withdrawn and diversion to be considered.

Defence counsel Jonathan Eaton said he had been…

While diversion would be the normal offering, if the facts are disputed, as they are to some extent, Police are constrained to quite an extent in offering…

His lawyer wouldn’t have applied if he wasn’t eligible. The police simply refused, as they can do.

Wait till sentencing before you…

And
Mr Buckingham has now said a complaint would be laid about his client being allegedly assaulted at the time of his arrest.

Smith-Voorkamp appeared before Judge Colin Doherty at the Rangiora courthouse. He pleaded guilty and was remanded at large until tomorrow.

Defence Counsel Simon Buckingham, who also suffers from autism, said outside court that he was hoping Smith-Voorkamp would be granted diversion at his…

That angers me and I don't think I need to…

Thank you, and good on you. I do understand that you had something to say.

I could reiterate my points in the clearer light of morning, but I’ll leave it at that.

Yes, I noted that last night. Moreover, I couldn't understand his argument, and I usually greatly enjoy the clarity of his writing.

Kracklite,…

Hilary: Honestly, I’ve wondered that for a very long time. I’ve seen fairly close up what a vindictive little skid-mark he can be – all directed at people he thinks can’t, or won’t, fight back.

Someone commented that he’d already decided not to…

True, and I understand the kinds of pressure Arie must be under on this matter. It needn't be about him,…

… have to sign off for an indeterminate while. A friend’s having their own crisis. It’s smaller scale maybe, but objects in close proximity appear larger.

*ETA- there is at least one help-line…

Hic!

I've never heard him renounce that he beats up his "wife" either.

I think you're extending the responsibility of a MP…

--Blake, Proverbs of Hell

I have no problem with Labour standing up for that and many other things. Just not sure that Labour should decide to make…

*I think the term is narcissist.

You so did. It's like Leo has had a chance to think since and he's decided he wants to engage. We're going in to see the Grinding Gear folks when they're through their deadline, and he's signed up for…

Ah, yes... and as I've said over at Danyl's place, if Collins is accusing the journos concerned of fabricating a quote she…

Boo-fucking-hoo. I do hope Mrs. Collins will deputise a flunky to read the various disobliging things I've said about her on Public Address Radio. Her contempt would be a badge of honour.

Oh, I know. It's a bugger of a thing – can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. I'm glad he's finding a path that works for him.

We seriously didn't have a lot of choice at the time — his anxiety was through the roof, really alarming. But it's been his choice to…

That’s so good to hear. They’re vicious buggers long term, and the side effects can make you wonder if it's worth it at all. I was on paroxetine for a looooong time. Not fun. Now moved onto…

That's real wisdom.

My son loves old school buses and NZ Broadcasting.A subject he knows a vast amount about. He listened to Michael Laws’ recent diatribe aginst Special Olympics which my…

Snap (although I've been reading him online for years).

One minor quibble with your post...

Goldacre lays responsibility for the "MMR scare" firmly at the feet of people associated with media – as distinct from the particular researcher at the centre of…

nah, the Minister is just completely disingenuous. rape is *exactly* what she meant in the heat of the moment, and she's backtracking on it.

i seem to remember you taking the piss out of her while she was a member of the Opposition.

megalomaniacs tend to have a long memory for those who have annoyed them

I'm sure she knows it's only defamatory if it's untrue, rather than unfair to her poor beleaguered self. It certainly…

I hope you'll be following that up with the Ombudsmen if you haven't heard anything after 20 working days. I have asked for clarification, even offering her four possible explanations, and will definitely be going further if she…

I think the comment she was referring to was this one from George Darroch.

I do struggle to believe that she hadn't noticed that her vile sentiment was being discussed online for days before George's comment. As I have noted before, she doesn't seem to like me.

I would hope not. I did think a bit more about the interests of the recipient, but it was an official email…

And some of her best friends are Aspergians, but...

And have been for years. In general, that's a good thing, although it was be helpful if ministers could refrain from appearing to attribute to me things that I did not actually write.

Oh well. Given that it has already been subject to an OIA…

I am a journalism honours student at AUT and am hoping to write an article on Police conduct in relation to Arie Smith.

Would you have anytime at all for me to ask you some quick questions?

Thanks,

Sophie

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting with a press sec for a National Minister, and a post I'd pre-written and timed…

Yup, but don't send them letters. Write it in public, so everyone can see. It's more rewarding that way, and the dialectic that arises might give…

@Marcus, Paul Offit writes good stuff too. I'm a fan of Brian Deer (a journalist) who…

MPs partly form their picture of what the public wants from the communications they receive. Yes, one person's vote is just one of millions, but one person's letter can be seen as a proxy for many people's opinion.

Incidentally,…

That’s fair enough, but on my side of the political divide I hope decent, smart people like Chris Finlayson cringe every time Judith opens her mouth. If folks like…

Unfortunately, he's been let down by his leader's peculiar talent for stumbling onto the wrong side of moral and political issues.

Well, Hillary, don't you think "society in general" deserves a lot better than Parliamentarians who seem to know nothing about the rule of law, and care even less?…

not a dot.

hasn't been 20 working days yet though.

regarding Lhaws: anyone able to compile a list of his advertisers? happy to issue letters of complaint here.

Dear Mr Robertson,

I was intrigued by your comments on Red Alert regarding the case of Cornelius Arie Smith-Voorkamp:

"it disturbs me deeply, and I want it investigated."

I believe that the right to fair and just treatment whilst in the custody of police is fundamental to the…

Have you got in touch with him about this issue? What did he say?

By all means ignore him if you like. God knows I try. But screw this, I've had enough.

I'm glad that you agree with me.

Oh Craig, I am very well aware of that, and Goff's role, hence my fury. I should be a natural Labour voter, but seeing the behaviour of that…

Honestly, Drinnan doesn't ruffle my feathers because he's got quite a track record of getting basic matters of fact wrong. I don't mean "taking a position that is open to debate", but going off on rants about other media…

No — this is the man who said we all needed to STFU and get over the "sensual excesses" Louise Nicholas was subjected to. If you just assume everything he says is mindless and…

Speaking of ruffled feathers, still no sign of a copy of Collins' email. Anyone?

Precisely. But…

We won't. But society's gullible probably will, and that gives me the shits.

And it's a waste of time to get mad. Let's get even instead – design posters, set up websites, have a laugh or two at the…

No need for that, Rich. Lhaws quite clearly says:

Now let's similarly identify the other Christchurch looters and mete out similar justice

Definitely an inclusive statement that one. So clearly he's willing to do his bit, brave fellow that he is.

So all…

Next stand-up argument is at yours :)

Dude, I removed your other sentence too. Let's keep to the moral high ground.

6 Summary jurisdiction in respect of indictable offences

...

(2) A Court presided over by a District Court Judge shall have summary jurisdiction in respect of the following indictable offences, and proceedings in respect of any such offence may accordingly be taken in a…

I am a subscriber to the SST and I have a simple request: (Account No. xxxxxxxxxxxx)

I would like to have the Michael Laws column removed from my copy of your paper prior to delivery...........

If removing his column is not possible, I would…

For a brief instant Mr Lhaws becomes self aware. My next thought is that getting angry is a waste of energy, take action against the SST.

If I were to suggest that pelting Laws with rotten eggs wherever he goes is the duty of every decent citizen, that would not in itself be a crime. But if you were to take my advice, and you were proved guilty of assault on…

My guess is "there but for the grace of God go I, and I'm totally mystified as to how I've dodged that bullet." That is, without having read the article in question. I've had…

The Paul Henry affair was "metaphysical and mystical". Do I want to…

When these rodents are eventually apprehended and exposed to the light , we are always amazed by how nondescript and petty they seem. As was the case with Arie Smith – blah blah blah
In fact, the published photos accentuated such feral features – an unusual angularity offset by a…

I'm actually a little surprised something like that gets published on the op-ed page of a national newspaper. David Kemeys, you are actually responsible for the…

Ah, the irony of mascara boy chest-beating about black eyes. What a talkback natural.

Smith has Asperger's. Big deal. It was not severe enough for him to require care, nor for him not to be unaware that stealing was wrong. So he had a compulsion.…

No one forced Goff to speak about it. He's a politician so what he says that he thinks does have some influence on people asssessing what the guy may do with their support. Isn't that what we do with pollies all…

Just to get back to the story of Arie from someone who knows him and the area: 'There is an old shop building (brick) which had largely collapsed in the first earthquake last…

[ETA I'm less impressed by Goff trying to weasel out of it than by his original comment, but he shouldn't have said it either.]

True

Then again, there is probably going to be plenty of opportunity for discussion of how the previous Labour Government (like their British counterpart)…

Yes, but no – it’s not what I really want running through the mind of a man who 1) would really really…

Thanks for re-focusing the debate Kracklite. Even I (he says grandly) have been sucked into saying "he was only carrying two lightbulbs FFS" as though it might have been justifiable if…

Arie is now a political pawn for Labour to hit National over the head with? Excellent.

Well, sure, I can see that. It'd just be nice if that wasn't the only consideration, though.

Besides, it wasn't…

... because otherwise, they're letting Judith Collins of all people dictate their policy and timing de facto ("Who defines the terms wins the argument" as the supposed Chinese proverb has it). This is not an opposition.

What the fuck, yeah. I’d like someone in the Labour Party to grow a fucking backbone and risk losing to show that they have one single principle that isn’t…

I like to think so too Sacha.

I also wonder though, if the loss in whatever quality it is that we are talking about in senior politicians is a…

Pike River's contractors being gypped:

The bills owed to local contractors when the mine exploded amounted to $7 million – and the support package promised in December was always expected to include a cash element to help meet those unpaid bills.…

A decent response to reports of looters would be something like "well, there are several hundred thousand people in Christchurch, not all of them are good neighbours, but we need…

Ideal Goff response: ” I was clearly describing my immediate emotional response, which I suspect was shared by many New Zealanders. That's…

Not that I'm disagreeing with the comments…

Not quite that…

Don't make me think unpatriotic thoughts, now

That said I can't see based on current performance that National will lose this nor that Labour will win it, but current performance is irrelevant, it's just those last 5 months…

Well, now it will.

Dalziel actually uttered a unfortunately violent phrase about Ken Ring to the Herald, but it hasn't become an issue. I suspect this…