Roller wrecker gets five months detention

After months of damage at his Hutt business property, Patrick Roil saw red when confronted with a bunch of car enthusiasts. He got into a 16-tonne roller and began ramming into cars. One victim broke his arm in the chaos with hundreds trying to flee. His son, Marcus Roil, used a cricket bat to assault several of those trying to escape. Yesterday Wellington District Court judge Ian Mill said: ‘‘Your actions met with the approval of many in the community, but it does not justify it. It can not be condoned . . .’’ Patrick Roil had pleaded guilty to driving with excess breath alcohol and intentional damage to 13 cars, and dangerous driving causing injury. Marcus Roil pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and five charges of assault. Judge Mill sentenced Patrick to five months community detention, 200 hours community work, disqualified him from driving for a year, and ordered him to pay $45,738 in reparation and $2000 to the victim with the broken leg. Marcus Roil was sentenced to nine months supervision, ordered to pay $3000 to two victims, and 100 hours of community work.