Latest fromDistrict Court
!['Calculated torture': Mother forced to watch as son bashed with hammer](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
'Calculated torture': Mother forced to watch as son bashed with hammer
Torture ringleader Dylan Hemana says he had a 'Once Were Warriors' upbringing.
![Person of interest in Baby Ru killing admits assaulting NZME journalist](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Person of interest in Baby Ru killing admits assaulting NZME journalist
Rosie Morunga also admitted unrelated shoplifting at supermarkets and retail stores.
!['I did not want to rape her or anything:' Man accused of violating teen tells police](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
'I did not want to rape her or anything:' Man accused of violating teen tells police
Raveen Saily says he believed the 16-year-old had consented to sex in the changing room.
![Defence say teen made up rape allegations due to fear of parents](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Defence say teen made up rape allegations due to fear of parents
Girl says she was raped after a Snapchat meet-up turned sinister.
![Drunken sailor crashed car while drinking '8 or 9' beers on drive home from sea](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Drunken sailor crashed car while drinking '8 or 9' beers on drive home from sea
He understood the seriousness of what he’d done and how he’d placed other drivers at risk.
!['I've got a knife': Man said before allegedly raping teen in changing rooms](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
'I've got a knife': Man said before allegedly raping teen in changing rooms
The 20-year-old had been messaging the 16-year-old on Snapchat before they met in person.
![Mental health issues raised as man appears in court charged with murdering his relative](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Mental health issues raised as man appears in court charged with murdering his relative
A 60-year-old man died in an alleged family-harm incident in Pātea at the weekend.
![Villagers win fight against prominent wine grower over controversial alpine subdivision](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Villagers win fight against prominent wine grower over controversial alpine subdivision
'We would have been looking at Coronation Street which is not why we chose to be here.'
![Man screamed 'I'll run you over b****' as he drove towards his ex-partner](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Man screamed 'I'll run you over b****' as he drove towards his ex-partner
But a judge has given Legion Turner a chance, saying 'you let me down, you go to prison'.
![Backpacker manager posing as physio indecently assaulted tourists during ‘massages’](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Backpacker manager posing as physio indecently assaulted tourists during ‘massages’
Fred Pino-Bustos told one of his victims he learned a new technique on YouTube.
![Friends of sexual abuse complainants testify against former political figure](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Friends of sexual abuse complainants testify against former political figure
The accused has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of indecent assault.
![Dad wanting to leave gang told it would cost him $20k - or his ute](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Dad wanting to leave gang told it would cost him $20k - or his ute
The man was then assaulted before locking himself, his pregnant wife and kids in a room.
!['Extreme distress': Man trespassed from abortion clinic for the 15th time](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
'Extreme distress': Man trespassed from abortion clinic for the 15th time
A judge tells Paul Barnao having strongly held beliefs doesn't justify breaking the law.
!['You are a monster:' Dad confronts man who sexually abused his daughter](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
'You are a monster:' Dad confronts man who sexually abused his daughter
"Hate is a strong word...but Patrick Hart, I hate you for everything you did".
![Farmer sentenced over 'emaciated' cattle that had to be euthanised](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Farmer sentenced over 'emaciated' cattle that had to be euthanised
The 65-year-old farmer has been sentenced for ill-treatment of cattle for a second time.
![Man paused prolonged attack against partner so she could cook him dinner](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Man paused prolonged attack against partner so she could cook him dinner
Judge: 'You treated her like some sort of animal'.
![‘Your kids saw this’: Ex-lifeguard jailed after brutal stomping on fellow diner’s head](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
‘Your kids saw this’: Ex-lifeguard jailed after brutal stomping on fellow diner’s head
The attacker, an ex-lifeguard of 19 years, then put him in the recovery position.
![Woman duped into handing over $7k after being told she'd won a prize on Facebook](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Woman duped into handing over $7k after being told she'd won a prize on Facebook
The victim was told she had to pay $5000 into a bank account in order to claim her prize.
![Landmark prosecution: Man suffered two brain bleeds during workplace accident](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Landmark prosecution: Man suffered two brain bleeds during workplace accident
Grant Bowling was hit from behind by an agriculture vehicle and collected in its bucket.
!['Shhh': Man drank 27 RTDs before sexually assaulting sleeping party guest](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
'Shhh': Man drank 27 RTDs before sexually assaulting sleeping party guest
'You should not have touched me,' the woman has told her attacker.
![Steering toward change: Whangārei launches first young adult drivers court](/https/www.nzherald.co.nz/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=816)
Steering toward change: Whangārei launches first young adult drivers court
The court is a first for New Zealand and will assist people to obtain their licence.