Miss-Delectable
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Deaf man gets final warning about violence - Local News - Taranaki Daily News
Profoundly deaf former Taranaki rugby league representative Wiremu Albert Raana has been given a final warning about his violent behaviour.
The unemployed 23-year-old appeared in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday on charges of assaulting two probation officers.
He was also appearing for a review of sentence.
Raana, who was again supported in court by Deaf Association of New Zealand chief executive Rachel Noble, attacked the two probation officers in October after they visited him at his house.
His violent tendencies were on display in court yesterday when he suddenly objected to the person who was using sign language to convey Judge Allan Roberts' comments to him.
After kicking the dock, Raana began frantically using sign language and screaming at the interpreter.
Judge Roberts called for police back-up, but let him leave the dock when two female officers came up from the cells.
Raana was recalled later without incident.
Defence counsel Turitea Bolstad said her client had been assessed by a specialist psychologist who travelled from Australia. The cost of the specialist was met by the Probation Service and the Deaf Association.
In explanation for the assaults, Ms Bolstad said the two probation officers - Brian Montgomery and Beverley Nicholls - had tried to communicate with Raana by writing notes but he could not read or write.
Judge Roberts said he had been trying for several months to appreciate the difficulties Raana faced, but was concerned at the number of assaults he was committing.
Raana was ordered to undertake six months supervision, convicted and given a final warning on the assault charges.
Profoundly deaf former Taranaki rugby league representative Wiremu Albert Raana has been given a final warning about his violent behaviour.
The unemployed 23-year-old appeared in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday on charges of assaulting two probation officers.
He was also appearing for a review of sentence.
Raana, who was again supported in court by Deaf Association of New Zealand chief executive Rachel Noble, attacked the two probation officers in October after they visited him at his house.
His violent tendencies were on display in court yesterday when he suddenly objected to the person who was using sign language to convey Judge Allan Roberts' comments to him.
After kicking the dock, Raana began frantically using sign language and screaming at the interpreter.
Judge Roberts called for police back-up, but let him leave the dock when two female officers came up from the cells.
Raana was recalled later without incident.
Defence counsel Turitea Bolstad said her client had been assessed by a specialist psychologist who travelled from Australia. The cost of the specialist was met by the Probation Service and the Deaf Association.
In explanation for the assaults, Ms Bolstad said the two probation officers - Brian Montgomery and Beverley Nicholls - had tried to communicate with Raana by writing notes but he could not read or write.
Judge Roberts said he had been trying for several months to appreciate the difficulties Raana faced, but was concerned at the number of assaults he was committing.
Raana was ordered to undertake six months supervision, convicted and given a final warning on the assault charges.