Articles by Shannon Pitman
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Crime
Judge gives teen kidnapper huge discount saying ‘17-year-olds don’t deserve to be in jail'
Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 10:09amA driver lost on Christmas Eve thought he’d found help when a stranger stopped to check on him but the roadside encounter...
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National
Girl in lap belt died after mum briefly took her eyes off the road in 'highly preventable tragedy'
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 7:16amA girl restrained with a lap belt instead of being in a car seat died when her mother crashed the car after briefly taking...
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Crime
Firearm pointed at motorist leads police to discover 20kg of cannabis chocolates, drug operation
Friday, 3 October 2025, 4:09pmPolice made a sweet discovery when they followed up on a road incident that involved a driver pointing an air rifle at a...
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National
'God is in control:' Why a woman refused to get medical checks in residency battle
Saturday, 27 September 2025, 2:32pmA South African woman seeking residency in New Zealand has refused to undergo medical tests as she believes only God, not...
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Crime
'I could see a very terrified girl': Friend’s mother recalls night child fled from caregivers
Thursday, 25 September 2025, 8:27pmWARNING: This article discusses allegations of child abuse and may be upsetting to some readers. On a chilly evening, a distressed...
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Crime
'Giant red flags': How a woman's promising job led to money laundering convictions
Monday, 22 September 2025, 10:40amA woman’s financial hardship and digital skills led her to take up a promising job offer, but it quickly unravelled and left...
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Crime
'If you ran, you were hit harder': Jury hears child abuse claims against Oranga Tamariki caregivers
Tuesday, 16 September 2025, 9:05pmWARNING: This article discusses allegations of child abuse and may be upsetting to some readers. Sticks, cords, paddles and...
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National
'Altogether unaware': Tenant made $18k from Airbnb bookings without landlord's sign-off
Saturday, 30 August 2025, 3:53pmWhen a neighbour’s curious phone call prompted a West Auckland landlord to investigate, she discovered her rental property...
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National
'You've got me': Policeman accused of striking man on ground with sponge-round launcher
Tuesday, 26 August 2025, 4:17pmA former tactical unit police officer is back on trial for allegedly striking a man in the head with a sponge-round launcher...
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Crime
'Vicious-looking': Dogs that mauled man to death also allegedly turned on owner
Tuesday, 19 August 2025, 8:43pmA pack of dogs that mauled a man to death had a reputation for lunging at visitors, attacking livestock and even allegedly...
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Crime
'My dogs have attacked my bro': Man allegedly mauled to death by pack of hungry dogs
Monday, 18 August 2025, 8:38pmA concerned woman listened over the phone as her partner shouted at a pack of growling dogs – then the line went silent. Shirley...
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Crime
‘Constant and continued lies’: Judge condemns mum after baby left with lifelong brain injury
Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 3:19pmA mother who caused catastrophic brain damage to her infant son has been condemned by a judge for a pattern of “constant...
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National
ACC exempted from covering man's PTSD triggered by abuse as child in Russia
Sunday, 3 August 2025, 2:09pmA Russian child who was adopted by New Zealanders and suffered physical abuse in his home country has had his claim for PTSD...
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National
‘Arrogant way to treat your manager’: Detectives' private chat reveals tensions in Northland police
Wednesday, 23 July 2025, 7:50am“The group we don’t talk about.” That was the name of a private group chat where senior detectives were venting about their...
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National
Kaipara Deputy Mayor loses another battle with FENZ in six-year employment dispute
Sunday, 13 July 2025, 3:24pmA six-year employment battle stemming from a Fire and Emergency worker’s transfer from Auckland to a role at Northland’s...
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Crime
Autistic man indecently assaulted by rapist who had served 33 years behind bars
Sunday, 13 July 2025, 3:09pmWARNING: This article discusses sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers. A 65-year-old with back-to-back convictions...
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Crime
'Didn't think I was going very fast': Uncle pleads guilty after toddler's fatal fall from ute
Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 8:56pmA toddler’s day on the farm with his uncle and cousin turned into tragedy when the 3-year-old fell to his death from a moving...
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Crime
Kaiwaka farmer Niven Lowrie admits to animal neglect, 14 deer found dead
Friday, 4 July 2025, 3:40pmA deer had to be euthanised after it was found with its antlers entangled in a fence and its body caught in thick mud. The...
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Crime
'Forever 25, our hero': Murder victim was trying to protect his cousin
Wednesday, 2 July 2025, 8:42pmWARNING: This article discusses graphic violence and may be upsetting to some readers. Two brothers driven by addiction...
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Crime
'A sadistic flavour': Paedophile's jail time extended after more predatory offending revealed
Wednesday, 25 June 2025, 8:47pmWARNING: This article discusses sexual abuse and may be upsetting to some readers. A convicted paedophile and former school...
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National
'I know it’s wrong': Woman stole expensive perfumes for dealers in exchange for drugs
Tuesday, 24 June 2025, 3:52pmIn a moment of candour between a spree shoplifter and a judge, a woman revealed why she was stealing products to order. “I...
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Crime
Rapist ran naked into the night after victim's neighbour knocked on the door
Monday, 23 June 2025, 9:09pmA displaced woman who was living in emergency housing endured further trauma when she opened the door expecting a friend...
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National
Speeding driver led police on high-risk pursuit, caused crash then drove off
Thursday, 19 June 2025, 8:09pmA man led police on a dangerous, high-speed chase through inner-city suburbs, reaching speeds of almost 150km/h and crashing...
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Crime
'I've paid the price': Illegal gasfitter claims laws need to change
Sunday, 8 June 2025, 3:53pmAn unregistered gasfitter caught installing hazardous systems and using homemade registration stickers on campervans has...
