A duck-shooter who almost lost his life after a serious gunshot injury had received an extreme deterrent against any future offending, his counsel said.
Daniel James Parker (24), machine operator, of Ranfurly, was sentenced in the Alexandra District Court yesterday for unlawfully possessing a gun after his firearms licence had been revoked.
The defendant and friends were duck-shooting at Paerau on May 2.
Parker was given a gun by former All Black Andrew Hore, the court heard.
During the day, bottles of beer were drunk by the duck-shooters.
They left in an all-terrain vehicle to go to another pond and while travelling, people and firearms fell off the vehicle. One of the guns discharged, injuring Parker's arm.
Counsel for Parker, Tim Cadogan, said the defendant almost lost his life and was extremely scared of guns now. His injuries, 10 days in hospital, two operations and the prospect of more were an ''extreme deterrent'' to any further offending.
''The events of this day left a deep mental impression on him''.
Parker had described ''watching himself lying on the ground bleeding out'' and if not for the intervention of the others present, he might have died, Mr Cadogan said.
Although Parker had been using a firearm, he had not been drinking alcohol when he used the gun.
It was not known yet if the defendant would be permanently disabled, the court was told.
Judge Michael Crosbie said there were strict rules governing the sale and ownership and operation of firearms in this country for safety reasons. As someone with a revoked firearms licence, Parker should have been aware of the rules. He sentenced Parker to 120 hours' community work.
Four people, including Parker, faced firearms charges following the police investigation into the incident.
Two men were dealt with in court last month for possessing a gun without having a firearms licence. Former All Black Andrew Keith Hore appeared in court yesterday and admitted supplying a shotgun to Parker, an unlicensed person.
Hore (36), of Patearoa, sought a discharge without conviction, his counsel, David Robinson, said.
Judge Crosbie said police needed time to respond to the application and remanded Hore to reappear on September 17 without entering a conviction.
An application by the Otago Daily Times for an in-court photograph of Hore was declined.
