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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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A need to "disappear from
circulation" because of gambling and work problems caused a Amon Maxwell Heremia, 20,
unemployed, was sentenced to 180 hours community work and was ordered to pay
$3000 reparations after he pleaded guilty to making a false statement when he
appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday. Police prosecutor Sergeant Dave
Greig told the court Heremia was found by members of the public on Tauroa
Road, Havelock North, at 3.15am on June 20. He was bound with white
insulation tape on his arms and his legs. After police were notified,
Heremia was taken to the Hawke's Heremia later told police he was
held captive in a car boot for about six days and was given a small amount of
food and drink. He next recalled lying face-down
on the ground, with his hands and legs bound and tape covering his mouth and
eyes. On June 21 he made an official
statement to police saying he was kidnapped and held captive. On June 25 he admitted the
statement was false, saying that because of work and financial problems he
decided to "disappear from circulation" but he needed an excuse for
his whereabouts so he came up with the kidnapping scenario. Mr Greig said police spent 200 man
hours working on the case and used the services of ESR staff, at a total cost
of about $15,000. Counsel Sheryl Manning said
Heremia was only able to pay about a third of what he owed in reparation. He
was remorseful and was aware he had wasted police time and money. Judge Richard Watson accepted information in a pre-sentence report that Heremia had got himself into financial difficulties through a gambling problem, and that he was also affected by epilepsy and depression. |
