Nelson flatmates went on car vandalism spree

A man who went on a windowsmashing spree in Nelson caused ‘‘absolute carnage’’ for innocent vehicle owners, a judge says.

Hlaing Nyein Aung, 18, appeared in the Nelson District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to multiple charges of intentional damage on several occasions during September.

On six of the charges, Aung was charged jointly with Baylee Sam Fahy, 20, who did not appear in court yesterday but had previously pleaded guilty. At the time of the offending, they were flatmates in Ta¯hunanui.

According to the police summary of facts, most of the charges related to incidents on September 5 and 13.

On the evening of September 5, Aung went to Quarantine Rd, where he found a line of unoccupied vehicles parked on the side of the road, some of which belonged to people who had flown out of town from the nearby airport. Using a hammer, he damaged at least six vehicles, smashing several windows on each. He did not enter or steal anything from the vehicles.

On the evening of September 13, Aung and Fahy were driving south on Whakatu Drive when they saw a Nissan Avenir parked on the side of the highway. Fahy stopped the car, and Aung got out and smashed all the Nissan’s windows except for the windscreen.

The pair then continued on to Richmond, where Aung attempted to break into two liquor stores.

Aung and Fahy then drove to Estuary Place in Richmond, where they found two buses being stored on private property in the industrial area. Using a hammer, they smashed windows on both buses, along with headlights, indicator lights and a side mirror. A rock was also thrown through a passenger side window.

Later that evening, Aung and Fahy drove to Quarantine Rd, along with Fahy’s partner and two other associates. The pair got out of the car and smashed the windows of at least four parked vehicles.

Police stopped Aung and Fahey afterwards. In explanation to police, Aung said he had been suicidal and took it upon himself to smash the vehicles, while Fahy said there was no reason for his actions.

Judge Richard Russell convicted Aung on all charges and remanded him on bail to December 16 for sentencing. ‘‘This is absolute carnage you created for a number of innocent, law-abiding Nelson people,’’ he said. ‘‘Your behaviour was nothing short of appalling.’’