Day in the Dock: Convictions 15, 16 and 17 ‘on their way’ for disqualified driver

Thursday, 18 June 2026

The lawyer for a man on the road to his 17th driving while disqualified conviction told the court she hopes he can get ‘legal’ on the road, for ‘first time in more than 15 years’.

Raymond Watts is facing his 14th driving while disqualified conviction, and it won’t be his last time.

“15, 16, and 17 are on their way ma’am,” his lawyer said in Tokoroa District Court on Wednesday.

“Mr Watts has been found on CCTV at the BP.”

Watts was in court because of a charge of driving while disqualified, third or subsequent, appearing before Judge Anna Skellern.

Getting caught on CCTV at the BP saw Raymond Watts rack up his 17th driving while disqualified conviction. (file photo).

The court was told Watts had been indefinitely disqualified back in 2011, but that that disqualification may have been made in error, and that defence and police both wanted to see Watts “legal on the road”.

Watts’ lawyer said finding an adequate driving programme for him could result in “getting him legal” for the first time in more than 15 years.

Watts was seeking electronically monitored bail, but Judge Skellern denied the request and noted he had a “history of non-compliance”, including a four-month spell absconding from an earlier bail.

It’s amazing what 200 days inside can do for a methamphetamine user, just ask Lance Quaife.

Appearing for sentencing via audiovisual link, Judge Skellern told remarked on how well he looked, noting “a period in custody does Mr Quaife well”.

“Thank you,” said Quaife.

Two hundred days in prison, and off the meth pipe, appeared to have been beneficial for one defendant at Tokoroa District Court.

Appearing for sentencing on 14 charges including possession of a knife, speaks threateningly, resisting police, driving while suspended third or subsequent and two charges of prohibited display of gang insignia, his lawyer told the court “Mr Quaife knows it’s a sentence of imprisonment”.

“Just how long.”

“You have 11 pages of previous convictions,” Judge Skellern said.

“They include violence, drugs, dishonesty, the whole nine yards.”

She said Quaife has been offending since he was 18 years old, with “the only interruption has been when you’ve been in prison”.

She also noted he had a good upbringing with supportive parents - his father was in court - and had been described in one report as having a personality that was “energetic and challenging”.

Sentencing Quaife to 32 months’ imprisonment, and disqualifying him from driving for one year and one day, Judge Skellern told him “rather than cut down on the meth, give it away altogether”.

Charges of dangerous driving and refusing to give blood paved the way to court for Victory Semilota.

His lawyer entered guilty pleas to both charges, but requested no convictions be entered ahead of a discharge without conviction application.

Semilota is set to reappear on September 9, with a Tuvalu interpreter present.

One charge of assault on a person in a family relationship landed Barry Tuaeu his appearance. His lawyer requested a remand without plea ahead of a July 8 reappearance.

Charges of breaching intensive supervision and driving while suspended landed Akima Tarei his appearance.

His lawyer requested an adjournment to the sentencing, citing the need to obtain a probation report into her client.

Judge Skellern granted the adjournment, but told Tarei his situation was “pretty serious”.

“You end up leaving the court in a very difficult position,” she said.

She set a next appearance date of August 26 and told Tarei he had to report to probation today, “no excuses”.

Vallen Uatuku appeared to face charges of assault on a person in a family relationship and failure to answer district court bail.

His lawyer requested time to make a legal aid application and requested a remand without plea.

Uatuku will reappear on July 8.