Guilty plea to police station shooting

Two officers and a member of the public escaped harm after a shot gun fired at a police station went through a window.

Christopher Tait, 31, and Brooke Monson, 28, have both been charged with discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate.

Appearing at Blenheim District Court on Monday, Tait pled guilty to the charge as well as failure to comply with police when they wanted to search his mobile phone.

Two shots were fired at the Main St police station at about 6.24pm on Sunday 28 May this year.

While nobody was hurt in the incident, the court heard that two officers had been with a member of the public in the office immediately below where the first shot stuck.

The summary of facts outlined how the pair had been driving around Blenheim that evening.

“They drove past Blenheim police station and pointed a shot gun at the police station,” the police prosecutor told the court.

“The first shot went through the window and damaged the wall and ceiling.

“The room below was occupied.”

The pair allegedly fled the scene, abandoning their vehicle at Taylor River Reserve. An associate then reported the car as stolen.

Speaking to Judge Jo Reilly via Audio Visual Link (AVL) Tait asked her to consider an extension of his curfew so he could go to the gym and play sport.

But his request was denied after Judge Reilly ruled Tait had time after work to exercise.

Noting Tait’s guilty plea, Judge Reilly called for an alcohol and drug report to be completed before his sentencing date of 11^thSeptember 2021.

Police are seeking reparation for damages done to the station by the shooting.

“I need to know how much damage was done to the police station and how much you personally should be responsible for,” Judge Reilly told Tait.

He was told he had to appear in person for sentencing and was remanded subject to a 7am to 7pm curfew.

Monson is scheduled to appear before the court early next month.