An Oamaru man who threw a home-made bomb at a police car has been sentenced to more than a year in prison.
Marko Motu Williams, 33, appeared before the Dunedin District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to charges of attempted arson and speaking threateningly.
On January 6, Williams, wearing a balaclava, approached multiple vehicles in the KFC drive-through asking for food.
He left and repeatedly threw an object on to a busy intersection of Thames Highway, causing vehicles to swerve and stop.
Upon police arrival, Williams cycled south, yelling abuse at officers.
The defendant then retrieved a home-made Molotov cocktail from his bag, set it alight, and threw it on to the roof of the police vehicle, where it exploded into flames.
The fire continued burning until the petrol had evaporated, the court heard.
Williams said he would not have acted that way if he had been taking his medication.
The court heard Williams had schizophrenia, issues with substance abuse, and antisocial personality.
He told Probation the few possessions he owned had been stolen and the bomb was intended to be used on the thieves.
He claimed the police had been following him and "would not leave him alone".
Judge Michael Turner said: "People who make bombs and throw them at cars in New Zealand will find themselves in prison. It is totally abhorrent behaviour."
Three days earlier, Williams had entered the Shosha vape store in Oamaru and demanded the personal information of an employee.
Upon refusal, Williams verbally abused the victim and stated, "do you want a jab in the face, c... ", before leaving.
Thirty minutes later, he returned and was asked to leave by the victim. Williams replied, "that’s bulls... , I want to jab you in the face", leaned on to the counter and attempted to punch the victim.
The defendant’s cultural report detailed "quite a rough" upbringing.
The judge said it provided relevant context for the offending. However, there was no direct connection.
Judge Turner sentenced Williams to 19 months’ imprisonment.
"Keep off the drugs, listen to your mother," the judge said.
By Rachel Caderas
