23 December, 2010

Christmas & New Year

School closed Monday 27th of December and Thursday 30th of December.

Next class Monday 3rd of January, 2011

22 November, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 10

Dunedin woman fights off sex attacker


Dunedin woman fights off sex attacker

Mon, 22 Nov 2010

News: Dunedin Court Crime

Police have praised the efforts of a 24-year-old woman in fighting off an attacker in Dunedin early yesterday.

The woman told police she was followed when walking home along Stafford St about 2.45am before being accosted outside her home.

Detective Sergeant John Hedges said the woman had screamed for help while she kicked and scratched her attacker.

A male neighbour came to her aid, following the fleeing assailant down the street, but keeping a discreet distance.

This helped the police find the alleged offender within about 10 minutes.

Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said the woman had received a minor head injury in the incident, but was coping "remarkably well".

• A 32-year-old man is expected to appear in the Dunedin District Court today charged with attempted sexual violation.

11 November, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 9

Shopkeeper fights off gunman

Shopkeeper fights off gunman

JESSICA SUTTON - Manawatu Standard

11/11/2010

A Palmerston North dairy owner has told of his harrowing ordeal of being hit over the head with a gun during an armed robbery.

Police are still hunting for the man who attacked Seddon Street Food Market owner Raj Patel shortly after 7pm on Tuesday night.

Mr Patel was struck over the head with a gun after a man walked into his store and pointed the firearm at him – telling him to get on the ground.

"I came from the back room when he came in [to the shop]," Mr Patel told the Manawatu Standard.

"He yelled at me and told me to sit down on the ground.

"My wife [Hema] heard the yelling and knew something wasn't right. She managed to press the buzzer which alerted the monitoring company."

The man then hit him on the back of the head twice with the gun, he said. "I had to fight back. I was scared. I tried to find things to hit him with. I think it was then that he saw my wife holding a hockey stick. He must've been scared as he ran off."

Chasing the offender up Manchester St, Mr Patel said the man got into the passenger side of a car.

"It [the car] was obviously waiting for him. We are here for a living and it makes us really upset, but we've got a good community here.

"So many people came out of their homes to see if I was all right. I really want to thank them for their support."

Being back behind the counter yesterday was hard for Mr Patel, who said he was still "shaken" after the ordeal.

"I couldn't understand what he was saying to me. I couldn't understand what he wanted. My family is OK but are a bit shaken by it all. Hopefully police will find him soon."

He said although he didn't know who the man was, he looked "familiar".

"There was no-one else in the shop at the time and there was no-one on the street.

"He did not take anything, so I don't understand."

Police located a female witness yesterday who had said the offender got into the passenger seat of a silver vehicle, believed to be a Subaru.

The woman then followed the offender's vehicle down Aberdeen Ave, into Wood St and into Featherston St, where she lost sight of it.

The man is described as white, of medium build, and wearing a dark-coloured hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan said police were still trying to track down the vehicle.

In April, two men with a knife and a metal bar allegedly threatened the lone female Seddon St store owner, forcing her to hand over the till containing the day's takings. Police later apprehended two men believed to be involved in the April robbery after road spikes were deployed between Tokomaru and Linton.

Anyone with information on Tuesday night's holdup should call Palmerston North Police on 3513600 or on the anonymous Crimestoppers line 0800555111.

03 November, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 8

Lack of help astounds petrol station hold-up hero


Lack of help astounds petrol station hold-up hero

By Vaimoana Tapaleao

Wednesday Nov 3, 2010


Photo / Hawke's Bay Today



A man who thwarted a suspected armed service station hold-up has been offered free coffee and a thank you from management.

And the company is standing by its policy that staff are under no circumstances to get involved with a violent customer, even when another customer is being attacked.

Scott McCullough had stopped at the BP station on State Highway 1, in Papakura, last Thursday around 6pm.

The 35-year-old was paying for his petrol when a woman yelling that she had a gun came inside and began threatening staff members.

With one hand in a sweatshirt pocket - where the alleged gun was hidden - she grabbed Mr McCullough.

The female robber then put Mr McCullough in a headlock before pointing what he believed was a weapon into his side.

"Three times she said: 'Give me the money or I will shoot him'," Mr McCullough said.

As he stood in a headlock he was shocked that the five staff members, who he said were all large and capable men, backed away and stood behind the counter looking at them.

"The cash register attendant backed away from the counter and didn't hand over the requested cash - whilst I was being held in a headlock with an alleged pistol forced into my stomach!

"As the attacker leaned towards the counter, I had no option but to grab the alleged pistol which was up [her] jumper ... and slam her hard up against the glass, knocking out a tooth."

When that happened, she surrendered and took her hand out of her pocket, saying she did not have a gun.

She then ran outside and made off in a getaway vehicle that was waiting for her.

A staff member managed to get the vehicle's registration, which helped police arrest a woman about 15 minutes later.

Mr McCullough said he could not believe that neither the staff nor members of the public looking from outside came to his aid.

"My main point is that in today's society, people are wary about helping out people in trouble."

Mr McCullough wrote to the BP New Zealand head office, calling for a review on the company policy that staff were not to deal to an aggressive customer.

In response he received a letter informing him that he would be getting coffee vouchers, while management yesterday thanked him for his brave actions.

BP general manager retail Frank van Hattum said although the attack was an unfortunate one, the company backed the actions of the staff members, saying they did everything right.

"All our staff are trained to under no circumstances engage with an aggressive customer.

"They have to stand back."

Mr van Hattum said the company had been in touch with Mr McCullough, as well as police, and were satisfied that everything had been sorted.

"We also thank the man because who knows what the situation would've been if he had not taken action against the woman.

"But we did ring police immediately and were satisfied that they were on the way."

A woman has been remanded on bail and is to appear in court next week.

24 October, 2010

Labour Day

Yes -- Labour Day, 25th of October -- training as usual, 7:30pm.

07 October, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 7

Pensioner takes wild ride with thieves

Pensioner takes wild ride with thieves

By NICOLA BRENNAN - Waikato Times

07/10/2010

DONNA WALSH/Waikato Times
QUICK THINKING: Lions Club member John Milne, 78, sits on the car a thief had tried to steal with him in it.



Cambridge's John Milne knew immediately what he had to do when confronted by a man trying to steal his car – jump in the back and refuse to get out.

Now nicknamed "Rambo" by his mates, the plucky 78-year-old former undertaker made the decision to jump in the back of his station wagon as it was being driven away by the thief.

The man and an associate had met Mr Milne at the Lions Clubrooms about 7.30pm last Friday – giving a story that they wanted to look at furniture being sold in a garage sale – when the man suddenly grabbed his keys and got into his car.

"All I thought was `I can't let the bastard get away with the car'," Mr Milne told the Times in his northern Scottish accent.

So Mr Milne jumped in the back and held on tightly as the thief took off at high speed down Vogel St.

"The seats were down and I was yelling for him to pull up.

"He was all over the bloody road."

There was a big glass lamp in the back of the car, so Mr Milne threatened the thief with it.

"I said `I'll smash it over your head'."

After being driven around Cambridge for several minutes, Mr Milne managed to persuade the man to return to the clubrooms. But Mr Milne, armed with two shards of glass from the smashed lamp, still refused to get out of the boot.

"I said `give me my keys'.

"He said `put down your weapons'.

"Then he asked if I had anything he could wipe off his fingerprints with, so I gave him my hankie."

The young man eventually left, but didn't give the keys back. So Mr Milne sat in the car for 30 minutes before deciding it was safe for him to get out.

Mr Milne jumped a fence and ran across the road to seek help from a friend.

"I was shaking.

"I wasn't scared at the time [the car was being stolen], but it hit me after. But I'm good as gold now."

Mr Milne said the man apologised to him before running off.

"He said `I'm so sorry. I didn't want this to happen, I don't want to hurt old people'.

"I guess if he had have been a violent man it would have been no trouble at all for him to kick my head in."

While Mr Milne was unhurt, he still wanted to see the man punished, though probably not sent to jail.

People needed to know they couldn't take off with a person's car and get away with it, he said.

Detective Sergeant Ross Patterson, of the Waipa CIB, said the incident was one of the more unusual thefts they'd had to deal with.

But he said he wouldn't recommend other victims take such action.

He said a 17-year-old man had been arrested and another man was likely to be.

Only one of the men actually got into the car. His associate had taken off on foot.

25 September, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 6

Dunedin girl escapes street attack

Dunedin girl escapes street attack

Sat, 25 Sep 2010

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen an attack of an 18-year-old woman in Stuart St last weekend.

The woman reported to police yesterday that she was walking up the northern side of Stuart St, near Cargill St, on Sunday between 7am and 8am, when a male approached and stopped to talk to her, Detective John MacDade, of Dunedin, said.

He pulled her into a nearby drive, pinned her against a wall and tried to pull her jacket off and lift her dress, he said.

The woman kicked the man and ran off down Cargill St, Det MacDade said.

She was uninjured.

The alleged offender was described as Caucasian, 30 to 40 years old, just under 1.8m tall, of solid build and with short, light-coloured hair.

"Police would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time who may have witnessed anything," he said.

01 September, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 5

'I put a fair bit of pressure on his neck'


'I put a fair bit of pressure on his neck'

By Rachel Tiffen

Wednesday Sep 1, 2010

Grant Gillard stood alone in his pharmacy. A hole had been smashed in the back door, the alarm keypad had been ripped off and the power was out. Goods and rubbish were strewn everywhere.

But there was no sign of the intruder, so he'd sent the security guard home.

The 68-year-old was trying to reboot the computer when he realised he hadn't checked the storage room.

"I took a few steps and at first nothing appeared to be amiss," he told the Herald yesterday in an exclusive account of last Tuesday's fatal struggle at his Mt Albert pharmacy.

Then he saw career criminal Bruce Allan Jones, hooded and dressed in black, hiding in a tiny space behind some shelves.

"I said 'Look the game's up just relax', but he wasn't inclined to relax and there was a violent struggle," Mr Gillard said.

The pair wrestled, the pharmacist swearing at first, his opponent saying nothing.

"He didn't say a single word the whole time."

They were locked in a bear-hug when both saw a spanner on the floor.

When the burglar managed to grab it, Mr Gillard thought he was done for.

"I knew the police weren't coming, I knew the guard had gone ... I really thought I was in serious trouble," he said. "I thought he only has to clock me once and it will all be over ... Your life really does flash before your eyes in that situation."

Jones was swinging wildly, but didn't land any hits. Then Mr Gillard managed to get him in a headlock.

"I had him like this," he said, demonstrating with adult son Matthew Gillard at home in Remuera yesterday. "Under my arm ..."

Mr Gillard told Jones to drop the spanner and he did.

"I put a fair bit of pressure on his neck so he would have been very uncomfortable," he said.

He dragged Jones with him as he went to the phone to call wife Vera at home - the only number he could remember - pleading for her to call police.

"I got this phone call, and I will hear it until the day I die, saying 'Get the police, get the police' and then the phone went down," Mrs Gillard said yesterday.

Minutes later he phoned again because no one had come.

"It was 'Ring the security company, the police haven't got here."

All the while Jones was silent, locked under Mr Gillard's armpit.

"You would think if he was having trouble breathing he would be making noises," Mr Gillard said.

When police arrived six or seven minutes later, Mr Gillard said "Get cuffs on him".

"Then I released him and he just collapsed on the carpet. He was looking very pale and not breathing, so they commenced CPR on him."

But Jones could not be revived.

As Vera and Matthew Gillard drove in from Remuera they feared the worst.

"We didn't know if he was alive or dead," said Matthew Gillard, who has extended his visit from Japan because of the attack.

"You should have seen the colour of him, he was grey," said Mrs Gillard.

As radio stations reported the death of a middle-aged man at the pharmacy that morning, relatives phoned to check it wasn't Mr Gillard.

Police are waiting on the results of a toxicology report to determine how Jones died after a post mortem examination was inconclusive.

Resting at home on doctor's orders - despite manning the pharmacy counter for the re-opening on Saturday - Mr Gillard sat behind a table full of flowers and cards yesterday.

The family has been overwhelmed by support from friends, family and strangers.

After more than a dozen break-ins, Mr Gillard said he would defend himself again.

"Definitely. I'm not concerned about it," he said. "I've given police a factual account of what's happened ... I didn't set out to have this result and it was in self defence and you've got to look after your own interests in that situation."

Mrs Gillard was relieved her husband was okay, but said "there are no winners in this".

"It's not like he [Jones] has gone in there to murder anyone. It's a burglary gone wrong and that's the sad thing about it all," she said.

The couple, who bought the pharmacy in 1969, had no thought of shutting up shop.

Said Mrs Gillard: "We can't let somebody like this change our entire lives. We have been working for 41 years, it's a long time."


Pharmacist Grant Gillard demonstrates on his son Matthew the hold he used to subdue Bruce Jones during last week's burglary. Photo / Greg Bowker

25 August, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 4


What the law says on self defence

What the law says on self defence

By Vaimoana Tapaleao

Wednesday Aug 25, 2010



Under the law, anyone can defend themselves against another person, using force that they believe is appropriate.

That could mean using a weapon - such as a gun, knife or even an umbrella - or fighting an attacker, say criminal defence experts.

Auckland criminal defence lawyer Gary Gotlieb said self-defence was simply proven.

"It could be you're walking down the street and someone comes at you - and you're holding an umbrella - and you instinctively hit them in the eye or any other area to protect yourself ... that's self-defence because you've obviously defended yourself."

Another Auckland criminal defence lawyer, Shane Tait, said people had to prove that the force that they used was appropriate.

"Obviously if a 69-year-old woman is chasing you around the store with a feather, you're not going to go at her with a shotgun and get self-defence," Mr Tait said.

"It's seen as what was reasonable to use - a weapon or fighting back - at the time that an attack happened."

Mr Gotlieb said that in some cases defendants had lost their claim of self-defence.

"It's often cases like at parties where a fight has happened and someone goes and gets a gun or a knife and comes back to join the fight - that is not self-defence."

THE RULES, THE CASES

Crimes Act, Section 48: Defence of oneself in reasonable circumstances. Crimes Act, Section 55: Necessary force to stop someone entering a person's home.

April 2009: The owner of Tokoroa's Aotea Chinese Restaurant and Takeaways, Zhuo Feng Jiang, wrestled a semi-automatic .22 rifle off a masked robber and shot him in the leg. Police decided against charging Mr Jiang.

September 2008: Otara liquor store owner Virender Singh was charged with injuring with intent to injure after he defended himself with a hockey stick against five drunken teenagers, one of whom had stabbed him in the thigh. A justice of the peace dismissed charges.

2006: Greg Carvell shot a machete-wielding Ricky Beckham, 29, in the stomach with a handgun at his father's Penrose gunshop. Police charged him with possession of a pistol for unlawful purposes but in June 2007 the charges were dismissed.

Self-defence in the News - No. 3

Death after pharmacy struggle 'self defence'

Death after pharmacy struggle 'self defence'

By Alanah May Eriksen

Wednesday Aug 25, 2010

A 68-year-old Auckland pharmacist at the centre of a police investigation into the death of an intruder in his store has been through a "very, very traumatic" ordeal, his family said last night.

The Herald understands pharmacist Grant Gillard - who was confronted by the burglar in his shop early yesterday - struggled with the man and was holding him down before he went into cardiac arrest.

Police tried to revive the middle-aged man - who has not been identified - but he died on the floor of the Mt Albert pharmacy.

Public support was mounting last night for Mr Gillard, who was back at his Remuera home after being questioned by police for most of the day. No charges have been laid.

His lawyer, Richard Earwaker, said his client had been given medical advice to rest.

"He's been through a very frightening ordeal and it's been rough for him. He's 68 so this has been very stressful ... It's been horrific for him, he's had some medical help."

Asked if Mr Gillard knew the intruder, Mr Earwaker said: "The short answer is no. It was just a burglary, he didn't know him."

Mr Gillard has run the Gillard Pharmacy on New North Rd with his wife Vera since 1969.

Mr Earwaker said he was well-respected among retailers and in the community and had been receiving a stream of calls and messages of support from friends and the public.

He would not comment on possible charges, but another criminal lawyer, Gary Gotlieb, said: "I would've thought that this was obviously self-defence and I think any jury would see that."

Mr Gillard returned to his home about 7pm yesterday and a man at the door, believed to be his son, said: "It has been a very, very traumatic time for the family".

Police were last night trying to establish who the intruder was, as he was not carrying identification.

The drama started when a security guard phoned Mr Gillard about 4.30am yesterday, after the shop's alarm went off.

When the pharmacist arrived at the store, the pair searched the premises for about 10 minutes but did not find anyone.

The guard left and Mr Gillard started to lock up when the intruder confronted him.

A scuffle ensued and at some point Mr Gillard phoned his wife to call the police.

Police arrived about four minutes later and officers performed CPR on the intruder before paramedics arrived.

The man was pronounced dead shortly after 6am.

Police were yesterday concentrating on a large hole in the back of the store which looked to be the entry point.

Inspector Jim Wilson said no weapon was found at the scene but that wasn't to say one hadn't been used.

A steady stream of friends and neighbours arrived at the house.

West Auckland pharmacist Warren Flaunty said the profession was becoming increasingly dangerous because of people seeking codeine and pseudoephedrine - ingredients in cough and cold medicines - to make P.

"Every time my alarm goes off, my wife dreads when I will call her to tell her what's happened this time," Mr Flaunty said.

Mr Flaunty, who has run his pharmacy for about 20 years, said he had about two robberies each year. In one, a man came into the store with a gun, threatening staff, before demanding pseudoephedrine.

"I lost two staff because of that. They couldn't handle it any more. [The danger] is something that goes through your mind all the time."

Don McBeth of Gail Sanders Travel, near Mr Gillard's pharmacy, found it hard to believe he would have hurt anyone but if he did, they would have deserved it.

"He wasn't aggressive at all. The most he would have done is say 'f*** off'. I can't even imagine him saying that."

Mr McBeth said the area had been plagued over the past couple of years by crime, including gang violence, shop hold-ups and daylight thefts of cars.

Gilbert Road Discount Liquor store owner Virender Singh defended his shop against five drunken teenagers with a hockey stick in September 2008. He faced charges which were later dropped.

"I'm still where I was in 2008, I'm still of the same position, if something happens to me similar, I'll do what I have done previously.

"He protected his property, his shop, he hasn't done anything wrong. That is my opinion ... that's why shopkeepers are standing up, otherwise these people will keep doing what they do."


Police at the scene at Gillards Pharmacy on New North Rd, Mt Albert. Photo / Brett Phibbs

24 August, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 2

Wellington hotel worker punches gunman

Wellington hotel worker punches gunman

The Dominion Post

23/08/2010

A Wellington hotel worker who was confronted by a gunman grabbed the armed man and punched him.

Detective Sergeant Martin Todd said that at 5.20am this morning, the 26-year-old victim was working in the reception area at the Abel Tasman Hotel, on the corner of Willis and Dixon St.

A man jumped the reception counter and pointed a pistol at him.

''The gunman made threats before the victim grabbed the gunman and a struggle between the two began in the office area behind the reception counter. The victim punched the gunman and managed to get free and get help.''

Detective Sergeant Todd says the victim received minor grazes to his hands as a result of the attack.

''It was a frightening attack, especially as a firearm was involved. We hope that the public can assist in identifying the person involved.''

The offender was described as a European male, aged 25-30 years, of average height and build with short hair.

He was wearing a black coloured beanie, a light blue baseball cap with the words ''Murupara Hotel'' on it, brown framed tinted Bill Bass brand glasses, a brown checked long sleeved shirt a fluorescent orange vest, blue jeans and white sports shoes.

''Police are appealing for any witnesses to the attack or any suspicious activity around the time of the incident. We are interested in hearing from people who know a person who has worn a "Murupara Hotel" baseball cap in the past,'' Mr Todd said.

Anyone with information should contact Wellington CIB on Tel: (04) 496 3454 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

EARLY MORNING RAID: A gunman leaps the counter of the Abel Tasman Hotel

PHOTO: Supplied by NZ Police

16 August, 2010

Self-defence in the News - No. 1

Judo-trained dairy owner sees off armed youths

Judo-trained dairy owner sees off armed youths

By KAY BLUNDELL - The Dominion Post

03/08/2010

A Levin dairy owner used his judo skills to fend off would-be robbers pointing a pistol at his head.

Playford foodmarket owner Tushar Patel was walking out of his Bledisloe St dairy at 1.25pm on Sunday when he saw four young men, two wearing balaclavas, about to enter.

He managed to dial 111 on his mobile before one of youths snatched his phone and tried to punch him in the face.

A former judo competitor in India, he deflected the blow, grabbed his phone, and held on to his attacker's wrist.

He saw one of the group rushing towards him pointing what looked like a pistol at his head. "I thought, 'That is a bloody gun he has."'

The gunman threatened to shoot Mr Patel, prompting him to push the man he was holding towards the gunman and yell out to his neighbour to call the police. The group ran off.

"I was yelling loudly. I did not think they wanted to kill me – they wanted to rob me."

His wife, Vanita, praised her husband's bravery. "He is a little bit strong man," she said.

It was the third time the couple have been targeted. Two years ago a man threatened Mr Patel with a vegetable knife and demanded money. Mr Patel showed off a bigger knife he kept behind the counter, and the offender fled.

About two months ago a man in a balaclava, brandishing a screwdriver, demanded money before running off empty-handed.

Mr Patel urged dairy owners to be careful and protect themselves. His wife agreed: "They cannot treat you that way, steal like that, otherwise they do it every day. I am proud of my husband but I am scared now."

Two 16-year-olds had been caught, police said. The gun is thought to have been a BB gun.

PHOTO: CHRIS SKELTON

MY STRONG MAN: Vanita Patel says she is proud of husband Tushar for fending off a gang of attackers. It is the third time their dairy has been targeted in the past two years. "They cannot treat you that way," Mrs Patel said.

13 February, 2010

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