A Dunedin woman threatened to steal a baby and waved around a firearm, threatening to shoot two women, a court has heard.
Geane Teara Nelio, 33, expressed regret through her lawyer when she appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week on one representative charge of threatening to kill.
On April 25, the woman was on a video call when she produced a firearm from a bag and pointed it at the camera.
She made a series of voice and video messages directing threats towards two victims, saying she would "smash" them.
Nelio also told one of the women she was going to steal her baby.
"Those threats were very precise and specific," Judge Russell Walker said.
"They were designed to cause maximum amount of fear and intimidation in the victims."
Counsel John Westgate said the woman had no intention of carrying out the threats but she could understand how her actions had impacted the victims.
"She has expressed regret, she is at low risk of reoffending. She needs some support ... she’s a good mum," he said.
The judge inquired about Nelio’s young daughter: "That is not the sort of role modelling you want to portray to her, is it?"
"No. I agree," the woman said.
The gun has still not been located and the defendant insisted it was a replica.
"I can’t place any weight on that," the judge said.
Nelio was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision and ordered to complete a Stopping Violence programme.
erin.cox@odt.co.nz , PIJF court reporter
