logo
Stolen ute leads cops to pilfered puppy

Stolen ute leads cops to pilfered puppy

Police returned the American bulldog puppy to its owner. File photo: Getty Images
A stolen ute spotted being driven in Dunedin led police to a stolen American bulldog puppy.
Police yesterday arrested a 31-year-old man seen behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Ute allegedly stolen earlier in the day, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said.
The man was forbidden from driving and was charged for receiving stolen property and driving without a licence.
As a result of the arrest, police also located an American Bulldog puppy that had been stolen on July 2.
Police returned the puppy to its rightful owners.
The man also received a charge for the theft of the dog, Snr Sgt Bond said.
He would appear in Dunedin District Court today.
laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lucy Letby case: Expert says hospital care may have led to baby deaths
Lucy Letby case: Expert says hospital care may have led to baby deaths

NZ Herald

timean hour ago

  • NZ Herald

Lucy Letby case: Expert says hospital care may have led to baby deaths

'On reading through the detailed medical notes, what was harrowing was seeing a story unfold where possibly things could have been recognised earlier and interventions could have been put in place, and perhaps for some of the babies, the outcomes might not have been what they were,' she said. 'This was deeply distressing. This was a neonatal unit that was being required to look after babies who should not have been cared for there.' 'The babies that we're referring to were all extremely vulnerable. Some of them were demonstrably and recognisably on a knife-edge. 'Others could have been recognised to have been on a knife-edge, but they were not monitored appropriately, and they were not treated appropriately. 'Problems went unrecognised until the point at which a baby deteriorated very abruptly. So the babies might not have died had their difficulties been addressed earlier.' Modi is part of a panel of world-leading experts who have challenged the verdicts and who have compiled a report that has been presented to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which looks into potential miscarriages of justice. Experts are questioning the evidence used to convict Letby, with a report presented to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Photo / Getty Images The CCRC is expected to report back before Christmas. The documentary also heard that test results, which the prosecution relied on to prove that several of the babies had been poisoned with insulin, were not fit for purpose. Professor Matthew Johll, a forensic chemist from Illinois Valley Community College, said that an immunoassay test should not have been used to convict Letby without follow-up forensic testing to rule out a false positive. 'You would not strip a gold medal from an international athlete on an immunoassay,' he said. 'It's not good enough for drug testing for pilots or anyone who has mandatory drug testing. So how can it be good enough to put someone in prison?' Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt? is currently available on ITVX. The show's producers said: 'After two trials, nurse Lucy Letby was found guilty of killing seven newborn babies and attempting to kill seven others in one of the most shocking murder cases in British history. 'Described as a cold-blooded, calculating killer, Letby was said to have used her trusted role to cause catastrophic harm to the most vulnerable newborn babies. 'So why are a growing number of expert voices now questioning the evidence used to convict her? This programme explores the views of a team of international scientists who say the prosecution case simply doesn't stand up to scrutiny.' Lucy Letby could face further charges. Photo / Getty Images Letby could also face further charges. In July, Cheshire Constabulary passed a new file to the Crown Prosecution Service relating to new baby deaths and non-fatal collapses at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital between 2012 and 2016. The CPS confirmed that it had received the file and said it would 'carefully consider the evidence to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought'. Cheshire Constabulary is also investigating three former managers from the Countess of Chester over allegations of gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter.

China hits back at FBI director's 'groundless assertions' in Wellington
China hits back at FBI director's 'groundless assertions' in Wellington

1News

time3 hours ago

  • 1News

China hits back at FBI director's 'groundless assertions' in Wellington

China says it strongly opposes any "groundless assertions" after comments made by the head of the FBI at its new office in Wellington. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is opening a dedicated attaché office in the capital to investigate threats, including terrorism, cyber crime, money laundering and child exploitation. Director Kash Patel also said it would counter China's influence in the Pacific. Jose Sousa-Santos from the University of Canterbury said the move will bring New Zealand law enforcement up to speed with modern threats. (Source: Breakfast) The Chinese Embassy hit back, saying it took note of the comments and described them as part of a "Cold War mentality". ADVERTISEMENT "Transnational crime is a common challenge encountered by all countries requiring cooperation to tackle," a spokesperson said. "On the opening of a new FBI office in Wellington with a permanent Legat (legal attaché) position, we have taken note of the assertions by the American side, as well as the remarks by relevant New Zealand ministers in response to the media. "We believe that relevant cooperation should not target any third party. And we strongly oppose any attempt to make groundless assertions or vilification against China out of the Cold War mentality. Such acts are against people's will and are doomed to fail." The government has pushed back on suggestions that the FBI's new office in Wellington aimed to counter China. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said China was not raised in his meeting with Patel, and the minister responsible for the spy agencies GCSB and NZSIS, Judith Collins, said it was up to Patel what he wanted to say. A Chinese national flag is raised at the Chinese embassy in London. (Source: Associated Press) "When we were talking, we never had raised that issue," Peters said. "We talked about the Pacific, what we could do to improve the law and order situation and the great concern that Pacific countries had and that they needed help, and that we need to be part of the solution." ADVERTISEMENT Collins said the US was "very focused on fentanyl" and knew New Zealand was focused on disrupting the methamphetamine trade. "We know that we do have international criminals ... let's just understand that our security agency is also involved in this. We're not going to single out any particular country." The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including fleeing driver hits house, severe turbulence hits US flight, and massive new bug found in Australia. (Source: 1News) University of Otago lecturer Dr Peter Grace said drug and human trafficking was "spiralling out of control" in the region, and New Zealand had limited resources to fight it. "New Zealand is a small state, and we just don't have the kind of resources that are going to help solve these problems… So the fact that you've got somebody with much deeper pockets coming down and cooperating can be a particularly good thing." Opposition parties expressed surprise at the announcement, Labour saying it had come without explanation and Greens saying the office should not exist and New Zealand should exit the Five Eyes arrangement altogether.

Former top cop Jevon McSkimming faces charges of possessing child sexual exploitation, bestiality material
Former top cop Jevon McSkimming faces charges of possessing child sexual exploitation, bestiality material

RNZ News

timea day ago

  • RNZ News

Former top cop Jevon McSkimming faces charges of possessing child sexual exploitation, bestiality material

Caption: Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Photo: Getty Images Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming is facing eight charges of possessing objectionable publications including child sexual exploitation and bestiality material over a four-year period, it can now be revealed. The charges, which are all representative, carry a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment. McSkimming resigned as the country's second most powerful cop in May amid separate investigations by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) and police. His resignation came a week after RNZ approached him, via his lawyer, with allegations about material found on his work devices. RNZ earlier revealed pornography found on the 51-year-old's work devices was being investigated as alleged objectionable material. On 18 July, an interim injunction that prohibited publishing the nature of the allegedly objectionable material lapsed after Justice Karen Grau declined McSkimming's application to continue the order. It can now be revealed that McSkimming was arrested on 27 June in Wellington. It's understood McSkimming's lawyers approached the Wellington District Court seeking name suppression shortly before he was arrested given the media coverage at the time. The application was granted in chambers. Do you know more? Email Later that day RNZ approached both Police and the Wellington District Court with inquiries about McSkimming's arrest. Police declined to comment, and the Wellington District Court confirmed an application had been granted prohibiting media from being able to report McSkimming's name, identifying particulars as well as the nature of the charges he faced before his first appearance. McSkimming, then referred to by RNZ as a "prominent New Zealander" first appeared in the Wellington District Court, via audio-visual link on 3 July. He was remanded on bail without plea until 4 August. A suppression order in relation to McSkimming's charges lapsed on Monday after he did not apply for a continuation of the interim suppression. McSkimming was remanded on bail by Judge Tim Black, without plea, until his next appearance in November. Before the hearing began the former deputy police commissioner sat quietly scrolling on his phone in the front row of the public gallery. He sat directly in front of the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves. CAPTION: Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Photo: Calvin Samuel / RNZ It can now be reported McSkimming faces eight representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the publication is objectionable. One of the charges alleges the offending occurred between July 2020 and December 2024. Of the remaining seven charges, four relate to bestiality, and three child sexual exploitation material. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment. After the revelations of the alleged objectionable material found on McSkimming's work devices, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers emailed staff. In the email, seen by RNZ, Chambers addressed the media reports "in relation to an individual". "I am aware that there are many who are angry and feel let down. I feel the same. "It is important to let you know at this point I am unable to comment on the matter, but I do intend to do so when I am able to. "As I have said before, I have high expectations of all Police staff and will act if standards are not met, irrespective of rank or role. "These are the actions of an individual, and I will do my best not to let it distract from the job we are all here to do. "However, I am aware there may be reactions from some that do not sit easily with you." Chambers said if any staff wanted to talk they could contact him or their manager. The IPCA earlier announced it was investigating allegations of misconduct by McSkimming following a complaint from a member of the public. It is also conducting an investigation into if there was misconduct or neglect of duty by any other police officers or employee in responding to the allegations. The investigations were being given priority, but no timeframe for their completion date could be given. McSkimming was one of the final two candidates for New Zealand's top cop job last year, with Chambers eventually appointed police commissioner. McSkimming was promoted to statutory deputy commissioner in 2023 on the recommendation of then-prime minister Chris Hipkins. Late last year he was overseeing road policing and operational services, which include strategy, media and communications, risk and assurance, and firearms regulation and reform. During his appointment process, it was noted he had a "relatively unique career path", working at police headquarters since 2010 across a range of areas: strategy, service delivery, resolution, financial planning, arms admin, ICT and infrastructure. McSkimming joined the police in 1996 and worked on the frontline in Auckland and Southland. He had also been responsible for large restructures - as well as managing police IT systems, property portfolio, vehicles, and launching the 105 non-emergency number. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store