"An attempt at suicide-by-cops", was how a judge described a scary outburst on Wednesday by a Tauranga man whose relationship had just ended.
Passers-by, including pupils from nearby Pillans Point Primary School, saw the 30-year-old allegedly threatening to stab police if they did not shoot him.
Sean Karepe Enoka, unemployed, was denied bail when he appeared in Tauranga District Court today facing four assault charges - two of them on police - along with counts of wilful damage and speaking threateningly.
Judge Thomas Ingram was concerned about Enoka's state of mind, although lawyer Glenn Barnett assured him there were no physical assaults on anyone and no indication that alcohol or drugs were involved.
"He was just very upset when his partner told him their relationship was over."
Police prosecutor Sergeant Sean Brennan opposed bailing Enoka to a relative's address in Auckland.
Given the defendant's reaction over the break-up, he would only be about three hours drive from his ex-partner, the sergeant said.
"At worst, we could have a murder/suicide waiting to happen."
Judge Ingram postponed the bail application until Monday, remanding Enoka in custody.
Enoka, the father of two small children, was at his ex-partner's house in suburban Tauranga about 3.30pm on February 18 when he became "enraged", threatening her and punching holes in a wall and a door, the prosecution summary alleged.
Reportedly saying he was "going to take himself out", Enoka picked up a boning knife in a leather sheath and a sharpening steel from a bench before leaving the house.
According to police, he threw the metal ring and the steel sharpener at a neighbour's car parked alongside the road, and damaged the vehicle.
When a woman came out remonstrating, he allegedly said: "You want a go too? Call the police."
Enoka approached another neighbour standing in a driveway and threatened him.
A police officer arrived and was warned by the defendant, indicating his chest: "Shoot me or I'll stab you."
He then began advancing, heard lowered and holding the weapons with his arms outstretched.
In the patrol car, a second officer drove forward a few metres, knocking Enoka off balance and causing him to drop the items.
When he got up and threatened to punch the policemen, they pepper sprayed and restrained him.
The defendant later told police he was angry over his relationship break-up and could not see any point in going on.
He damaged the neighbour's car to get police to the scene and attacked them to make them shoot him.
Enoka allegedly said he wanted police to kill him.
