Machete attack, firearms land man in jail

A Timaru man who attacked his flatmate with a machete earlier this year has been jailed.

John Oliver Jamieson, 34, appeared before Judge Dominic Dravitzki in the Timaru District Court on Thursday, having earlier pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a weapon and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to a police summary of facts, Jamieson swung a machete at the man he lived with twice on April 29.

‘‘The defendant brandished a machete at the complainant, swinging it towards his face which he blocked with his left hand,’’ the summary says.

‘‘The defendant swung the machete at the complainant on a second occasion, connecting with his head above his left eye. The defendant left on a quad bike and rode to a Selwyn St address.

‘‘Police conducted an inquiry at the Selwyn St address and subsequently arrested the defendant. A search of the address was invoked, and the quad bike was located and seized.’’

The summary notes the complainant, who was living with Jamieson at the time, ‘‘received severe lacerations to his middle and ring finger on his left hand, as well as a cut above his left eye’’.

The firearms charge was laid after police conducted a search of Jamieson at the Selwyn St address on the same day.

Police recovered two firearms. A Stoeger 300 semi-automatic shotgun was found at the head of the bed. This firearm was loaded with five shells and had one in the breech making it ready to be fired. The second firearm, a Mossberg .223 calibre rifle, was located and also in the loaded state.

Subsequent inquiries revealed the firearms were two of five taken in a burglary in Christchurch earlier this year.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant stated the firearms were his and that he had put them in the caravan when he had been staying with his associate,’’ the summary says.

Defence counsel Paul Norcross told Judge Dravitzki that a cultural report and a drug and alcohol report revealed significant issues with Jamieson, much of it stemming from his abusive upbringing.

‘‘His drinking and drug use and destructive behaviour was to blot out the memories of abuse. That is a common factor,’’ Norcross said.

‘‘The report documents the efforts Mr Jamieson has made in custody. He hasn’t just sat and waited, he’s done something about it. He is open to all considerations and seemingly open for change.’’

Norcross said Jamieson had an inability to self-regulate.

‘‘These behaviours have never been properly treated. And clearly they need to be,’’ Norcross said.

Crown prosecutor Andrew McRae noted that Jamieson had offended just two months after his release for a previous offence, and had previously declined to take part in mandated alcohol screening.

‘‘I guess the issue is whether the wish to engage in rehabilitation is meaningful,’’ McRae said.

Judge Dravitzki noted Jamieson’s history of violent offences. He told Jamieson the cultural report ‘‘records a terrible history for you’’.

‘‘The factors highlighted included a childhood of deprivation and violence and a very early path into substance abuse, very low education and employment attainment and a history of serious offending,’’ Judge Dravitzki said.

‘‘Much of your drug and alcohol abuse would be related to your upbringing. There is a nexus between them and your offending. These factors need to be taken into account.’’

Judge Dravitzki sentenced Jamieson to 23 months’ imprisonment, and imposed post-sentence conditions for six months, which include not to consume any alcohol or non-prescribed drugs.

‘‘His drinking and drug use and destructive behaviour was to blot out the memories of abuse. That is a common factor.’’

Defence counsel Paul Norcross