BLENHEIM, New Zealand — A Marlborough man has been sentenced after helping a wanted fugitive attempt to flee the South Island by concealing him in the back of a vehicle bound for the Cook Strait ferry.
Graeme Edward Noone, 66, of Havelock, was sentenced to five months’ community detention in the Blenheim District Court after pleading guilty to obstructing the course of justice.
The case centred on an attempt to help a man who was actively wanted by police escape from Nelson to Wellington by hiding beneath bedding in the rear of Noone’s vehicle as it waited to board a Bluebridge ferry at Picton.
Police Foil Escape at Ferry Terminal
According to court proceedings, police had been searching for the wanted man, who was the subject of an active arrest warrant, when investigators intercepted communications revealing plans to transport him across Cook Strait.
Authorities traced the fugitive to Noone’s Havelock address using cellphone data before monitoring text messages that showed the pair intended to travel to Wellington.
On March 8 last year, Noone booked a ticket for himself and his vehicle on a Bluebridge ferry scheduled to depart Picton that evening.
However, before boarding, police stopped the vehicle in the ferry queue and discovered the wanted man concealed beneath bedding in the back of the car.
The escape attempt ended before the ferry left port.
Judge: “Misjudged Loyalty”
Sentencing Noone, Judge Noel Sainsbury described the offence as an example of “misjudged loyalty” rather than criminal planning for personal gain.
The judge acknowledged that the offence of obstructing the course of justice covers a broad range of conduct and carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
“Everyone agrees it was an inexplicably poor piece of decision-making,” Judge Sainsbury told the court.
He added that if police had not intercepted the communications, the wanted man would likely have been successfully transported to Wellington, making his arrest considerably more difficult.
Judge Sainsbury also remarked that Noone was being “punished for something that shouldn’t have happened.”
Wanted Man Believed Wellington Could Help Him Evade Police
The court heard the fugitive believed that leaving the top of the South Island and reaching Wellington would improve his chances of avoiding capture.
After asking Noone for assistance, the Havelock resident agreed to drive him to Picton and conceal him in the vehicle for the ferry journey.
Police surveillance and intercepted communications ultimately prevented the escape before the pair could board the vessel.
Community Detention Instead of Prison
While the charge carried the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, the court imposed five months of community detention, reflecting the circumstances of the offending and Noone’s role in assisting the wanted man.
The case serves as a reminder that knowingly helping someone evade law enforcement can result in serious criminal consequences, even where the assistance is motivated by personal loyalty rather than financial gain.
