Tip-sy Weightlifter

New Zealand - A national title-winning weightlifter misguidedly used his talents to tip over a parked car, causing nearly NZ$1800 damage.

Jonathon Selkirk, 22, who is a national title winner in the under-85kg class for weightlifting, admitted a charge of wilful damage.

The Christchurch District Court was told yesterday that while visiting Invercargill for a weightlifting contest on October 15, Selkirk, who was intoxicated along with three associates, helped pick a parked car and tip it on its side.

Panel damage was caused along one side and a window was smashed in the early-morning offence, reparation of $1704 being sought. Only Selkirk and one other man were caught, the other receiving police diversion.

Judge David Holderness said his actions showed "very poor judgment. In future you had better keep your weightlifting activities to organised competition," he said.

Lawyer Simon Shamy said Selkirk was willing to pay all the reparation. He was studying for an engineering career, and a conviction could affect career prospects.
Selkirk was of otherwise good character and had prospects of national representation overseas in his sport.

The judge agreed to discharge Selkirk without conviction, but ordered $1704 reparation and $250 costs.

He said if the others involved had any decency they would reimburse Selkirk for their share of reparation.