AUCKLAND- Bronte LeLievre, 33, has been sentenced to prison for a series of offences, including performing an indecent act on an Air New Zealand (NZ) regional flight from Auckland (AKL) to Nelson (NSN).

Her sentencing at the Nelson District Court followed multiple incidents of meth-impaired driving, burglary, and resisting arrest that occurred over several months.

Judge Tony Snell described LeLievre’s behaviour as part of a “crime spree” driven by drug addiction, saying it was unlikely she would have acted that way if not under the influence.

The court heard that her offending caused distress to victims, endangered lives, and embarrassed fellow passengers.

Air New Zealand Passenger Imprisoned

The incident occurred on November 13 last year aboard an Air New Zealand flight carrying 48 passengers from Auckland to Nelson.

Seated in row 3, LeLievre and her co-offender, Reuben Finn, began kissing excessively as the aircraft started its descent into Nelson.

When asked by a flight attendant to stop, they ignored the warning and continued until the attendant threatened to alert the flight deck.

Finn then reached inside LeLievre’s bra and fondled her in full view of other passengers. Despite further warnings, the pair pretended to fall asleep when approached by the crew, though Finn’s hand remained inside her clothing.

Once the flight landed at Nelson Airport (NSN), police boarded the aircraft and arrested both.

Finn, sentenced earlier by Judge Garry Barkle to six months’ community detention and 12 months’ supervision, was also convicted of unrelated theft charges.

Judge Barkle said their behaviour caused “much embarrassment and discomfort” to passengers and staff, a sentiment later echoed by Judge Snell.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the in-flight indecency was the second most serious of the 12 charges against LeLievre.

Influenced Driving and False Identity

Three months before the flight, on August 28, LeLievre drove dangerously through Nelson’s main routes, including SH6 Tāhunanui Drive and Rocks Rd.

Witnesses saw her tailgating cars, swerving across lanes, and entering oncoming traffic, forcing trucks to brake abruptly.

She ran a red light at a major intersection before colliding with a roadside barrier and narrowly avoiding a head-on crash.

When police stopped her, she gave her sister’s details instead of her own and continued to lie throughout questioning.

A blood test showed 640 nanograms of methamphetamine per millilitre of blood, a potentially toxic level known to cause “significant psychomotor impairment” and serious health risks.

Officers later identified her correctly at the station after recognizing her from a previous case.

Burglary and Victim Impact

On September 8, LeLievre and an associate were caught on CCTV entering a property in Atawhai, north of Nelson, at around 4 AM.

They spent nearly 40 minutes walking around the premises before stealing a caravan, tomahawk cover, spotting scope, rifle cover, and various tools and equipment.

Police located the stolen goods, except the caravan, during a search five days later at a nearby property.

The 70-year-old burglary victim, who had lived there for years, said in a victim impact statement that he had since “lost confidence in human nature.”

Judge Snell noted that this loss of trust was a clear reminder of how such crimes affect people beyond the material loss.

Multiple Offences

A month after the flight, LeLievre lost control of her vehicle in Tāhunanui and collided with a parked car. Police found her unresponsive and “utterly befuddled” by drugs.

Tests later confirmed high levels of methamphetamine and cannabis. Judge Snell said she had been “high as a kite” and was a danger to herself and others on the road.

Further offences followed, on January 25, police arrived at her home just after midnight to arrest her. She resisted, assaulting officers and later telling them she had been “freaking out” and didn’t want to be locked up.

On March 2, when stopped again by police, she once more gave false details about her identity.

Sentencing and Rehabilitation Efforts

LeLievre’s lawyer, Dave Holloway, said his client had used her time in custody to reflect on her actions and was motivated to address her addiction.

In her pre-sentence report, she admitted that methamphetamine had “ruined my life” and acknowledged the harm she had caused.

Judge Snell recognized her remorse but emphasized the severity of her repeated offences. He sentenced LeLievre to two years in prison on all but two charges, with leave to apply for home detention once a suitable address is found.

She was convicted and discharged for giving false information, disqualified from driving for 16 months, and ordered to pay $400 in reparations to the burglary victim and $3,799 to police for analysis and medical costs.

The judge added that while LeLievre’s determination to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter was commendable, her recovery journey would be long. He encouraged her to engage fully in rehabilitation programs offered during her sentence.

Future Outlook

Judge Snell concluded that addiction had derailed an otherwise minimal criminal record. He said her acknowledgment of wrongdoing and willingness to reform were encouraging, but warned that consistent effort was required to regain public trust.

The case underscored how substance abuse can escalate into serious, interconnected offences affecting both individuals and communities.

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