Peter John Orchard being sentenced in the Whangarei District Court. Photo: NZ HeraldA Northlander who smashed a ute into three power poles to hurt his partner has been sentenced to more than six years in jail. Justice Downs said Orchard became very upset and said he had nothing to lose and made other remarks. Before hitting the first of the three, he undid his partner's seat belt and ensured the line of lamp posts were on her side of the vehicle. Orchard ran the first two lamp posts down, the third caused the car to flip and rest on its passengers' side.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 05, 2017 22:52 UTC