A track invader who jumped three fences and stood in the middle of the Trentham course while the field went around him fronted court on Thursday.
The NZ Herald reported that Justin Bergman, 24, appeared in the Hutt Valley District Court, where he pleaded guilty to creating a criminal nuisance by unreasonably disrupting a public meeting, knowing it would endanger the safety of the public.
The report said Bergman was sentenced to 12 months supervision, 100 hours of community service and fined $8800 – the same as what his actions cost the racing industry through the late scratching of Boston Strong Boy, whose rider Johnathan Parkes was forced to take evasive action.
The court was told Bergman jumped three fences before standing amid horses competing on Wellington Cup Day. Remarkably, no jockeys or horses were brought down in the incident.
The court was told Bergman tried to spook the horses before the race, with alcohol a contributing factor to his actions.
In addition to his sentence, Bergman has received a lifetime ban from racetracks around the country.
