Charges laid against a farm manager as a result of a cyclist being injured when fence wire was placed across the Otago Central Rail Trail have been withdrawn and diversion granted.
Andrew James Wright (32), of Ida Valley, faced seven charges laid by the Department of Conservation. He appeared in the Alexandra District Court before Judge Dominic Flatley on March 27 and pleaded not guilty to all seven charges, which dated back to July 2013 and related to the Otago Central Rail Trail at Oturehua.
Three of the charges were of making an obstruction - a wire fence - across the rail trail in a public place without reasonable excuse, in circumstances likely to cause injury, on July 26, 28 and 30.
Three charges were of causing cattle to trespass on the rail trail recreation reserve, without authority, on July 28 and 30, and the remaining charge was of carrying out farming on the rail trail on July 28.
Doc conservation services manager Mike Tubbs, of Alexandra, said yesterday the charges followed an inquiry after two cyclists on the rail trail at Oturehua rode into a fence wire strung across the trail in July 2013.
''One of the cyclists sustained minor injuries as a result of being thrown from their bicycle.''
The female cyclist did not require medical attention for her injuries, he said.
Mr Wright managed a farm next to the rail trail where the incident happened. Mr Tubbs said Mr Wright admitted endangering the public by obstructing a public place by placing fencing wire across the rail trail and also admitted allowing cattle to trespass on the rail trail.
The maximum penalty for the charge of endangering the public was a $2000 fine or up to three months' jail and the charge relating to cattle trespassing carried a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or up to one month's jail, Mr Tubbs said. Doc had agreed to diversion for Mr Wright after he wrote apologies to the cyclists and made a donation of $2500 to the rail trail trust. The department then withdrew the charges.
''The department takes seriously matters that endanger the public's safe use and enjoyment of their land and the two cyclists had their rail trail experience tarnished as a result of Mr Wright's actions,'' Mr Tubbs said. Doc senior solicitor Pene Williams said the size of the donation reflected the maximum financial penalty that could have been imposed on conviction.
Mr Wright could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
