A man's bid to prevent bailiffs seizing his cars to pay off outstanding fines has backfired on him.
Harry James Mitchell Mitchell appeared in Christchurch District Court today on charges of assault, careless driving, and trying to rescue property that was being seized, the Christchurch Court News website reported.
One charge of assaulting a bailiff with a weapon - a car - was reduced to common assault.
Judge Raoul Neave was told that Mitchell, a 37-year-old part-time cleaner, had mental and physical health issues, and now accepted that his response at the time was "inappropriate".
The bailiff arrived at Mitchell's Shirley home to seize his cars for "substantial outstanding fines".
Mitchell got in one car and reversed it down the drive, putting the bailiff in fear of his life.
His speed was so fast the car shot out the driveway, across the road, smashing into a power pole.
Mitchell was trying to rescue his second vehicle when he was arrested.
He got 18 months' intensive supervision from Judge Neave, with a special order that he attend an anger management programme as directed.
He also faces the repair bill for his own car and an invoice from Orion for the damage to the power pole.