Christopher Millen Sentenced for Machete Attack and Months of Evading Capture in Waihī
Christopher Millen Sentenced for Machete Attack and Months of Evading Capture in Waihī
Christopher Millen, 48, was sentenced to six years in prison by the Tauranga District Court for a violent machete attack in Waihī and for evading police for over five months in the Athenree Gorge.
The court heard that Millen arrived at a woman’s home in Waihī in early 2024, demanding $20 he claimed he was owed. When confronted by the woman’s visiting ex-partner, Millen pulled out a large machete and attacked the man, inflicting wounds to his abdomen and back. Millen then fled the scene, leaving the victim hospitalized and launching a five-month evasion of justice in the dense bush of the Athenree Gorge.
During his time in hiding, Millen stole a sheep, tools, and equipment from a nearby property, and even managed to acquire a firearm and ammunition. Police discovered his heavily camouflaged campsite in August 2024, with the help of the Special Tactics Group, Armed Offenders Squad, and a police helicopter. Millen was apprehended without incident, but not before discarding a firearm and ammunition during his escape.
The court was told that Millen visited the property of a retired couple multiple times, stealing items valued at over $3,600 and even causing $800 in damage to a door and window. CCTV footage captured his movements, but the couple only discovered the thefts after returning home to investigate.
Judge Arthur Tompkins acknowledged Millen’s guilty plea and his struggles with drug addiction, which he said played a role in his offending. However, the judge emphasized the danger Millen posed to the community, particularly due to his unlawful possession of a firearm. Millen received a 25% discount for his guilty plea, but the judge also imposed an uplift for his prior criminal history.
Milen was sentenced to six years for the wounding charge and three burglary charges, with an additional one-year sentence for the unlawful possession of a firearm and one year for intentional damage, all to be served concurrently. A reparation order of $2,625 was made for the damage caused to the couple’s property, and an order was issued for the destruction of the firearm.
The sentencing highlights the severity of Millen’s actions, not only in committing a violent attack but also in evading justice for over five months while committing further crimes in the bush. The court’s decision underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for both their violent acts and the ongoing threats they pose to public safety.
