Blair Anthony Stephen

Background

Background
From Otago Daily Times April 2005

“In the victim’s eyes, Dunedin is certainly no longer a safe place,” Judge John Macdonald said yesterday, sentencing Blair Anthony Stephen (21), employed, to 17 months jail for an assault offence. Stephen was before the Dunedin District Court having admitted indictably laid charges of assaulting Kerry Andrew Lewis with intent to rob him, and threatening to kill Mr Lewis, on December 11 last year.

The judge described what occurred, on Dowling St, about 3.50am, as “random and unprovoked violence on a complete stranger”. He said the victim and an associate were crossing the intersection with Princes St when an associate of Stephen sneaked up from behind and stole the cellphone one of them was carrying.

The victim chased the thief, resulting in a fight with another associate of Stephen who was unaware his friend had just taken the phone. Stephen remained when his associates left, punched the victim to the ground and threatened to kill him unless he was given money. In fear, the victim showed him an empty wallet.

The incidents resulted in the victim needing five stitches to his lower lip. His hands were grazed and his forehead was very tender. On the charge of threatening to kill, Stephen was jailed for six months, concurrent. He had also admitted stealing a $51.99 bottle of kahlua from Cableways Tavern and Liquorland, on February 4, and on that matter received a cumulative one-month sentence, making his total term 18 months.

On the assault charge he is to pay $465 reparation, and, on the theft, $51.99. Leave to apply for home detention was granted. The judge also imposed special conditions of release