Seafood store owner convicted of assaulting fishery officers
MFish press release –11 February 2009

An Auckland man who hit two fishery officers with his car was sentenced to nine months supervision, 75 hours community work, and ordered to attend an anger management programme in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday.

Patrick Hurae Tobin, 41, from Glen Eden, director of Toby’s Seafood Limited, attempted to run down two Auckland fishery officers in June 2007.

The incident occurred after Tobin’s brother, Craig John Tobin, 35, from Otara was arrested for obstructing fishery officers when he was stopped in a truck carrying fish, as part of an ongoing investigation into serious breaches against the Fisheries Act.

The vehicle he was a passenger in was ordered back to the Ministry of Fisheries Auckland office but later the same day Patrick Tobin arrived at the office asking that the vehicle be released.

He was asked to leave the premises but declined and started shouting abuse at fishery officers, attempting to run them down in his own vehicle

Tobin drove into the first officer striking him on the knee and then reversed back, revved the engine and drove forward in to the second officer. Tobin then drove away from the scene gesturing out the window and yelling expletives.

The officers received cuts, abrasions, and bruising as a result of the incident which was later referred to Police as an assault case.

MFish Investigations Manager, Mark Nicholson, said that the enforcement and protection of New Zealand’s valuable fisheries resources is of paramount importance to the Ministry of Fisheries fishery officers.

“Fishery officers conduct their duties in a totally professional manner and these actions by Tobin are particularly disturbing and disappointing for us,” he said.

Both brothers face numerous charges as a result of ongoing investigation matters which are currently before Court.

Patrick Tobin was also ordered to pay each of the fishery officer’s $150 compensation for the emotional trauma that they endured as a result of his actions.

ENDS

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