‘Investigator’ faces charges

A man who tried to launch sketchy street hospital, ambulance and detox services and purports to be a private investigator has been charged with pretending to be a cop.

Shane Casbolt, 31, appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Monday charged with impersonating a police officer. He was already facing a charge of possessing an offensive weapon. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges and a judge-alone trial is scheduled for February.

Police are also dealing with a complaint about a Facebook page allegedly connected to Casbolt called NZ News and Current Affairs.

One of its few stories has been about a funeral service run by Christchurch couple David and Kym Zelton and their firm Integrity Cremations. The firm, operating from the Zeltons’ home in Surrey St, Linwood, closed down in 2019 leaving several debts.

A NZ News and Current Affairs staff member interviewed Ilam man Bryan Price, who was unhappy with the service Integrity Cremations provided for the funeral of his son, Joshua Smith, in 2018. The 32-year-old died in a car crash and the Price family were disappointed at how his body was prepared.

The staff member, identified by Price as Casbolt, gave his name as Josh Roughton and claimed he had worked for the Zeltons.

He was wearing a vest emblazoned with the word ‘‘investigator’’ and in text messages to Price he claimed he was also acting in another capacity and might need to take a written statement.

The Zeltons say they did not receive any complaints about their funeral service and debts were because of David Zelton’s illhealth. They claim Casbolt has targeted them and others because they have supported his ex-wife in a custody battle over two children.

David Zelton said Casbolt moved in with them in September 2019 after Casbolt separated from his wife. The couple reconciled, and Casbolt’s wife moved into the Surrey St home. Casbolt stayed until the first lockdown in March last year when another upset in the marriage caused him to leave. His wife stayed.

The Zeltons had made a complaint to police about the unjustified attacks on the Facebook page, David Zelton said.

A spokesman for NZ News and Current Affairs, who would not give his name, said in Facebook messages that Casbolt worked for the news service as a contractor taking statements.

Casbolt said he was not ‘‘one to discuss matters over the phone with media and without discussing issues and allegations with my lawyers especially for the role I am in for security and the investigation work for my clients and law firms around Canterbury (sic)’’.

Casbolt has previously attempted to set up a free street hospital service and an ambulance service for both pets and people. He also launched a mobile detoxification service. The former stripper was a volunteer firefighter and surf lifeguard.