Man took fire vehicle to avoid row with girlfriend

A bricklayer in New Zealand took a council fire vehicle on a 400-kilometer (250 mile) joyride as a way to avoid a confrontation with his partner. Gary Yaxley and his girlfriend were having "a very emotional and vicious domestic" at a rural property at Patoka, near Napier, on October 28, Napier District Court was told on Wednesday.

Yaxley, 27, pleaded guilty to dishonestly taking a Hastings District Council fire utility vehicle, valued at $20,000 and painted in rural fire colours with lights on the top. The vehicle was kept in a shed on the property. Its keys were kept in a location known to locals. His lawyer, Phil Jensen, said he took it to get away from the situation at home.
Mr Jensen told Judge Tony Adeane Yaxley his client took the vehicle because he had been taught the best way to deal with a domestic argument was to "get out when you can". He returned it the next day, used but unharmed. "She [his girlfriend] wanted him to pay for the petrol. He said he would but he didn't, so she's gone and had him charged so she can get the $100 reparation," Jensen said.
Yaxley had previously attended a domestic abuse course that advised him to get away from such situations. "Whilst it wasn't the most appropriate way to do it, that was his motivation." Judge Tony Adeane sentenced Yaxley to 80 hours' community work, ordered him to undertake a course on living skills, and to pay $100 reparation.