Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett has told a court of her apprehension about an anti-Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) protest in Whanganui last year.
Paula Bennett took the stand in the trial of Whanganui MP Chester Borrows this morning. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Mrs Bennett is giving evidence at the trial of Whanganui MP Chester Borrows who faces a charge of careless driving causing injury, after two women were injured during the protest.
The minister, who was in the car with Mr Borrows, said she was aware of an aggressive social media post targeting her and feared a sex toy would be thrown at her.
"I think I was probably most expecting that they would throw the sex toy at the car and I didn't really want a photo or to be in the news with this thing near me."
Mrs Bennett said Mr Borrows drove very slowly and safely and she was surprised when the protesters stepped in front of the vehicle.
"I felt like we had more or less stopped, that's how it felt to me. So I felt like the car, if it was moving, it was literally inching [forward] and at that point we were waiting for the police to clear the protesters away.
"I was kind of surprised they had gone in front of the car because we were slowly approaching them so they walked out in front of a moving vehicle."
Borrows says he drove in line with his police training
Earlier this morning, Mr Borrows failed in his bid to have the charge thrown out.
Chester Borrows Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
In her decision, Judge Stephanie Edwards said there was enough evidence - should she accept it - that indicated Mr Borrows might have driven carelessly.
She said the appropriate time to decide what evidence she accepted was at the end of the trial.
Mr Borrows' lawyer had argued his driving was reasonable considering the social media threat made against his passenger, Mrs Bennett.
In evidence this morning, Mr Borrows said he had taken the threat seriously.
"It was intended as a threat and I took it as a threat."
Mr Borrows said when he approached the protesters in his car he paused momentarily and padded the brakes and continued to move forward as he had been trained to in the police "with well-telegraphed" movements.
The MP said he did not drive off until the coast was clear and there had been no indication anyone had been injured.
Asked by Mr Bourke why he did not simply just stop, Mr Borrows said he feared someone would climb on the car or something could come through the windows or doors.
He said he behaved as he had been trained to in the police.
"You make yourself ready for any eventuality."
In his cross examination, police prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk said Mr Borrows had exaggerated the threat he faced.
"You have overstated the threat ... to the point of disbelief."
Judge Edwards has indicated she will give a verbal ruling on the case this afternoon.
