A man involved in a 600km crime spree which sparked a major
police operation and an armed offenders callout at Palmerston
has been jailed for nine years and 11 months.
His female associate has been jailed for 22
months.
Christopher Daniel Shaw (26), panel beater, and Stacey
Estelle (21), company director, both of Palmerston North,
appeared for sentencing before Justice John Fogarty in the
High Court at Timaru yesterday.
The crime spree took place from January 30 to February 2 this
year, ending when the pair were caught near Palmerston.
Police earlier estimated Shaw and Snelleksz were to be
sentenced on 56 and 48 charges respectively, including 37
each for cheque fraud.
Others included mistreating children, receiving, theft and
burglary.
Shaw was also sentenced on five counts of using a firearm
against police, which, Justice Fogarty said, was the most
serious offending.
The second most serious was the neglect by both defendants of
the two children.
The couple, concerned that Snelleksz's two children might be
removed by Child, Youth and Family, decided to "go bush",
Justice Fogarty said.
They committed "numerous" dishonesty offences, including
stealing a Land Rover, kitchenware, groceries, a trailer,
camping equipment and food.
On February 2, the couple were spotted by police in the
stolen Land Rover with a trailer attached.
Both were packed with the stolen goods, including a .22
rifle, shotgun and ammunition.
Snelleksz drove at high speed while being pursued by police
cars and swerved past road spikes.
Police officers in a following car said a rifle was pointed
out the passenger window at them.
It was then swung 90 degrees and fired as the Land Rover went
past two constables standing near their car.
Both dived for cover.
Snelleksz later lost control and the vehicle crashed into a
tree.
Some experienced police witnesses were surprised anyone
walked away from the crash, Justice Fogarty said.
The couple, with the two children, walked 5km to 6km,
shadowed by police.
Shaw "quite deliberately" aimed the .22 rifle at the
officers.
Shaw had a "deplorable" criminal record and had only recently
been released from prison.
He clearly had the greatest responsibility for the offending
and had put the two police officers' lives at risk, Justice
Fogarty said.
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