A Wanganui farmer (39) who allegedly stole another customer's car at Frankton's BP service station on Sunday morning after an engagement party "bender" says he does not remember the incident.
Constable Jason Read, of Queenstown, said the man had been in the service station at 10am using an ATM when he walked on to the forecourt and got in the car of another man who was paying for petrol and had left the keys in the ignition.
"He'd been on a bender - he drove home, parked the car in the driveway and slept it off.
"He woke up later and thought 'What's that strange car?', then rang police and asked us to move the car.
"He's obviously been on such a bender that he can't remember doing it," Const Read said.
The man was charged with unlawful taking and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on April 4.
• A Cromwell man will likely face an indictable charge of injuring with intent to injure after allegedly punching and kicking two Queenstown men in the head in an early morning attack on Saturday.
Const Read said the main attacker, who was with two other men in their early 20s, also from Cromwell, became aggressive towards the two Queenstown men, a roofer and vineyard worker both aged 25, who had been drinking at Surreal bar on Rees St at 2.40am.
The man, who had been drinking, allegedly first attacked the vineyard worker with a punch to the face that knocked him to the ground.
He then "kicked the victim about the head several times", Const Read said.
When the victim's friend stepped in he received the same treatment.
The victims suffered bruising, cuts, black and bloodshot eyes as a result of the attack, he said.
Initially, the vineyard worker did not want to lay a complaint but was later persuaded to do so when an acquaintance saw his injuries.
Police have identified the alleged attacker and another man thought to have been involved in the attack and inquiries are continuing, Const Read said.
• An English tourist has been charged with assault after allegedly headbutting an Australian tourist outside Fergberger on Shotover St just after midnight on Saturday.
Const Read said the attack was unprovoked and the man - in his early 20s - was caught after his friend waved down a patrol car and directed officers towards him.
The victim - also in his early 20s - suffered no visible damage but had a "sore head", Const Read said.
The man will appear in Queenstown District Court on April 4.
