Man fired shots to frighten, Court told

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 18

Man fired shots to frighten, Court told

PA Auckland A man who fired shots in the direction of two policemen at Warkworth recently aimed to miss, the High Court was told. Mr Geoffrey Anderson said his client, lan Douglas Johnson, aged 33, was a good enough shot to have hit the policemen if he wished. Johnson fired to frighten, not to injure. Johnson, unemployed, of no fixed abode, appeared for sentence on two charges of discharging a firearm with reckless disregard for the safety of two policemen, two charges of cultivating cannabis, receiving a stolen vehicle, breaking and entering a woolshed, and possession of a sawn-off shotgun. He had admitted the charges in the District Court at North Shore. Mr Justice Sinclair sentenced Johnson to four-year prison terms on each of the charges of discharging a firearm and on the two cannabis counts. Johnson was also sentenced to two years jail for breaking and entering the woolshed, and one year for receiving the stolen car.

He was convicted and discharged on the charge of possessing the shotgun. All prison terms are served concurrent.

Sergeant Russell England told the District Court that two constables and a Civil Defence officer went to a Warkworth property on

November 7 to search for cannabis. Constable Robert Donaldson approached the house and asked Johnson to come out. After receiving no reply Constable Donaldson broke open the door. Johnson fired shots at the police and a bullet scratched the neck of one policeman. The party retreated and headed for protection after Johnson came out carrying the firearm. When the armed offenders squad arrived, Johnson had fled. More than 5000 cannabis seedlings, five to six plants, and a stolen car were found on the property.

Two weeks later the armed offenders squad searched bush in Warkworth and found Johnson. Mr Anderson said Johnson led a lonely life in the cottage, living off the land, and reacted as a desperate man when the policemen confronted him. “He responded as a desperate man might when cornered, with aggresiveness but not intending to harm,” he said. His Honour said the situation could have ended in tragedy, Johnson was fortunate he was not appearing on a more serious shooting charge.