Martin De Ruyter/Stuff
The sun used to shine through the windows on the eastern side of Terry Grooby’s home into the kitchen and dining room as soon as it rose “out of the sea”. This winter, Grooby had it for about an hour each day only, he said. “I don’t even know whether I’ll be able to do it,” he said. “My health: I won t be around a hell of a lot longer, but I don’t want this to happen to anybody else.” Grooby’s lawyer, Rob Ord, on Monday said he expected to file with the Environment Court “in the next week or two”. Ord planned to apply to the court for a declaration that the use of the building was inappropriate. The developer and the council would be named, he said.
Ballentyne’s actions forced several vehicles to change direction and swerve around him, causing drivers to lose focus and endanger other road users and members of the public walking nearby. He was located a short time later, and required several police officers to take him into custody due to his “volatile and aggressive behaviour”. When spoken to by police at the time Ballentyne said he didn’t have an excuse for his actions, but lawyer Rob Ord said the situation had been sparked by a communication breakdown. Ord said Ballentyne, who had been staying at the Wakatu Hotel, had been to visit a next door neighbour where they had been drinking for a few hours.