Third man jailed for terrorizing Canvastown couple

The couple revealed the lasting effects of the ordeal in July 2022, with the woman describing it as the most stressful experience of her life in her victim impact statement.

The statement said the “highly intrusive frightening attack”, which occurred in an isolated area with no mobile phone coverage, affected their sense of security in their homes.

Richard Donald Hurren was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison in August this year. aggravated burglary and assault but he appealed his sentence.

The appeal was rejected and the sentence remains.

Mihi Anita Anuska Barton was sentenced to nine months in prison in July last year on charges of being an accessory to theft and not assisting in the search after she refused to give the police the access code for her phone.

inside Nelson District Court On Friday, Shaun William MacFarlane was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty in August to amended charges of being party to aggravated burglary, taking part in common assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The 41-year-old lawyer, who has a “long-standing interest in drugs” used to numb the pain he suffered in his youth, has used the time he has spent in custody so far to get the education he missed. Emma Riddell said.

“He knows he’s caused harm and he wants to fix it,” he said.

At noon on July 26, 2022, the trio covered the one-hour distance. Nelson To Canvastown.

The husband and his co-worker were in a wool shed, while the man’s wife was in a nearby caravan that the couple used as a home on their property.

In sentencing Hurren, Judge Jo Rielly said it remained unclear what the trio’s true motivation was for going there and the information before the court was conflicting.

“Despite this, it is clear that this was planned in advance,” he said.

Once there, Hurren and MacFarlane entered the woolshed unannounced, and Barton remained in the car to keep watch.

One of the two men said they were “there to collect.”

Hurren then produced a “machete-like knife” about 40cm long and threatened to injure the man unless he handed over his property.

Hurren claimed he took the knife from the woolshed, but the victims claimed the knife did not belong to them.

Judge Rielly said it didn’t really matter how Hurren found out.

“The most remarkable fact is that you were prepared to put the machete-like knife in your hand and present it as you did,” he said.

Hurren’s co-worker managed to escape, got into a car and drove away to call the police because there was no phone in the area.

As Hurren held the man against the wall at knifepoint, his wife suddenly appeared. He was caught by MacFarlane and Hurren then threatened him with a knife.

MacFarlane lost his balance, causing the woman to run away.

Wearing several large rings, Hurren clenched her fist and punched the woman’s husband in the jaw so hard that he nearly fainted.

When Barton emerged and told MacFarlane and Hurren it was “time to leave,” the woman shouted that police were on the way and the 20-minute ordeal ended.

Police pulled them over as they passed Atawhai is in north Nelson.

Weapons were found in the vehicle, including a shotgun that was dismembered and wrapped in clothing in a bag in the trunk.

MacFarlane’s DNA was found on the clothing.

Judge Rielly said he, like many people who appeared in court, said they were no longer involved with gangs.

He hoped this was true because it was clear that his affiliation with gangs contributed to the crime.

Judge Rielly said: “It would be beneficial for you to choose a different lifestyle when you leave prison.”

Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter for NZME. She was previously RNZ’s regional correspondent in Nelson-Marlborough and covered general news, including court and local government, for the Nelson Mail.