Three men charged following the Undie 500 disorder enter
the Dunedin District Court yesterday. Photo by Stephen
Jaquiery.
About a dozen well-dressed young men outside the Dunedin
courthouse yesterday suddenly became camera-shy as they
reported to court for the first time after being arrested
during the weekend's Undie 500 disorder.
They were among about 25 men and one woman who turned up at
court yesterday following the arrest of 67 at the weekend.
Another 30 or so people will report to court this morning.
At 8.45am yesterday, some waited nervously on the courthouse
steps, while others gathered in nearby shop doorways or
around the corner, attempting to avoid waiting media.
One man arrived with a jersey over his head, accompanied by a
woman who fended off reporters.
When the courthouse doors were opened at 9am, the defendants
were eager to get inside, where many of them learned their
first appearance in the dock would be delayed.
They were met in the waiting room by duty solicitors who
organised adjournments, mainly to October 1, to give lawyers
and police time to finalise cases.
They were not the first in court after the weekend.
On Tuesday, two Dunedin men, not students, were convicted and
fined for breaching the North Dunedin liquor ban on Saturday;
and a 19-year-old Dunedin woman charged with disorderly
behaviour in Castle St last Friday, was remanded to September
29.
The charges yesterday's group faced included breaches of the
North Dunedin liquor ban, disorderly behaviour, intentional
damage and obstructing police on Friday and Saturday nights.
The most serious charges were disorderly behaviour likely to
cause violence and assaulting police with beer cans and
bottles.
Of those who were due to appear in court yesterday, only two
had occupations listed on their charge sheets - a landscape
gardener and a rigger, both from Dunedin.
Most of the accused in court yesterday were from Dunedin,
including six residents of Leith St and one from Castle St.
The group included a few people from Christchurch and one
each from Taupo, Waimate and Glenavy.
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