File photo. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
A diesel mechanic shot eight rounds of bullets into two cars owned by a colleague amid allegations of workplace bullying.
Marie Hearn, 62, admitted in the Nelson District Court today to discharging a firearm in a public place, possessing a firearm after her licence had been revoked and two charges of possessing ammunition unlawfully.
The mechanic, who described herself on social media as a former firefighter, worked for a Nelson industrial firm and drove to the workplace premises about 8.30pm on 6 June.
She parked for several minutes on the road, facing the victim's two vehicles.
According to the police summary of facts, she fired about eight rounds at the two cars, hitting both of them.
The bullet holes were consistent with a smaller-calibre rifle round, police said.
On 16 September, police searched the workplace premises and found Hearn with 59 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition.
Police said the ammunition was in a toolbox.
On the same day, police searched Hearn's Nelson home and found 21 shotgun rounds.
They also found a .22 rifle stored beneath the house.
Hearn told police she had acquired the firearm and ammunition at the time she held a firearms licence, and denied shooting the vehicles.
In court, she appeared nervous during her brief plea appearance, where she was convicted and remanded on bail before sentencing in May.
Hearn's lawyer alleged workplace bullying was behind her actions.
NZME approached the general manager of the firm where Hearn worked, who was unable to comment until after sentencing.
He confirmed that Hearn was formerly known as Dave Hearn.
Hearn, a diesel mechanic, talked publicly about a decade ago about undergoing gender reassignment surgery in Thailand.
She told Stuff in 2016 that after her transition, she struggled at work where there was "no place for wigs at a workshop", and makeup was a waste of time when it "runs down your face after the first 30 minutes".
She said her main goal was to have people call her Marie.
*This article was initially published on the NZ Herald