Rifle threat to get beer

Press, 20 August 1983, Page 1

Rifle threat to get beer

Nelson reporter A man who was refused service at the two Murchison hotels on Thursday evening returned with a rifle which he pointed at the licensee and demanded a flagon of beer, Judge Headifen heard in the District Court at Nelson yesterday. Kam Tutara, aged 24, unemployed, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two charges of unlawfully presenting a rifle at Brian John Bulfin and Douglas Robert Hamilton. He also admitted assaulting Mr Hamilton.

Tutara was convicted and remanded in custody for sentence in the District Court at Wellington on Mon-

day. Sergeant P. D. Grooby said that Tutara had been involved in an earlier incident in the Hampden Hotel on August 11 over the quantity of liquor served to him in a treble rum.

He had hit the licensee, Mr Hamilton, in the eye, causing a black eye and a cut nose. Tutara was refunded his money and was then barred from the hotel, said Sergeant Grooby.

He returned to the hotel at 8 p.m. on Thursday evening and asked Mr Hamilton to fill two flagons of beer. He was refused service and crossed the road to the Commercial Tavern where he also tried to obtain beer.

Mr Bulfin, the tavern’s manager, refused to serve him and was told by Tutara that he was “a marked man,” said Sergeant Grooby. About 20 minutes later, Tutara returned to the Hampden Hotel with a rifle which he pointed directly at Mr Hamilton. He demanded a flagon of beer and was served by Mr Hamilton who feared for his safety, said Sergeant Grooby. When Mr Bulfin walked into the hotel, Mr Tutara brought the rifle to bear on him. Mr. Bulfin fled from the hotel and sought the B, said Sergeant y.

When Tutara was apprehended he frankly admitted the incident The rifle had not been found, said Sergeant Grooby.

“He said he had taken this course as he felt the people of Murchison had been ganging up on him.”