After a domestic dispute, a Dunedin woman sought retribution against her former partner by posing as a police officer, a court has heard.
Elizabeth Rose Aitken, 27, called the man’s employer — a property manager — on April 10 last year and informed them he had been charged with "possession" and released on bail.
She introduced herself as being from "Dunedin police" to lend legitimacy to her claim, Judge David Robinson found following a trial in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
"I’ve taken the view you were trying in your own way to get revenge on your partner," he said.
However, he accepted there had been a family-harm callout shortly beforehand and the crime of impersonating police was "effectively a product of the circumstances".
Aitken was convicted and discharged.
Police were initially called to her home on April 9 where her ex-partner, Rynan Lester Nash, was charged with possessing cannabis and a pipe.
The next morning, officers again attended over an allegation of violence.
At 10.48am, LJ Hooker’s Richard Thompson received a phone call from a private number as he drove through central Dunedin.
As he pulled over, he said he did not catch the name of the caller but was certain they introduced themselves as a member of the police.
Nash, who worked as a handyman contractor for the company, had been charged with possession and released on bail.
Possession of what? Mr Thompson asked.
Aitken said she could not divulge that information.
"I’m not an expert in privacy law, but it raised a few red flags," Mr Thompson told the court.
Under cross-examination, he rejected the assertion he might have been mistaken about the mention of police.
A couple of days after the "unusual" call, he reported the incident to police.
Constable Ayla Walker arrested Aitken at her home in May and the defendant agreed to give a statement.
She admitted calling Mr Thompson and said she had also called other real estate companies that had worked with Nash, as well as informing his mates "Skip" and "Swampy" of the criminal charges.
Aitken stressed she had never claimed to be a police officer.
"I feel like, as an employer, you would want to know about your staff," she said.
However, Judge Robinson identified inconsistencies in Aitken’s statement.
At one point, she said she had detailed she was a victim of Nash during the call but later denied that was the case.
Her cellphone call history also suggested she had only called Mr Thompson that day, not the others as she told police.
Because Aitken opted not to give evidence, that issue was unable to be explored.
Judge Robinson said her account was unconvincing, whereas Mr Thompson appeared "credible and reliable" as a witness.
Aitken was ordered to pay witness costs of $50.
"Police have an incredibly difficult job to do and your actions impact on their credibility," the judge said.
"You’re better than this. You can do a lot better."
In November, Nash was convicted of possessing cannabis and a pipe and fined $1000.
rob.kidd@odt.co.nz , Court reporter
