Man who threatened to eat neighbour and his soul had no intention of eating anyone's soul

A fast food worker from Invercargill, New Zealand, has appeared in court after telling his neighbour he was going to eat him and his soul. Teavanui Emile David Page, 28, appeared before Judge Mark Callaghan on Tuesday charged with resisting police, assault, wilful damage and behaving threateningly on August 31.

The court was told Page had been highly intoxicated when he saw the victim in the stairwell of the flats where they both lived. Page yelled and swore at the victim, who went to go inside their flat, just managing to get to the door before Page. The neighbour slammed the door, trapping Page's fingers. Page kicked and punched the door and said he was going to eat the victim, his soul and his friends.



He was taken to hospital by police but became aggressive, struggling fiercely, requiring two officers to subdue him. In the patrol car Page raised his leg in close proximity to the driver and had to be restrained. He also headbutted an officer in the shoulder and continued to struggle. At the police station it took five police officers to transport him into a cell. He gave police no explanation for his actions, the court was told.

Page's defence lawyer told the court his client was "blind drunk", having drunk the better part of two bottles of vodka. He had become upset because he couldn't afford his rent and power and it was never his intention to eat anyone's soul, he said. Judge Callaghan said it was more good luck than anything else that the police officers had not been injured, and it was a surprise Page had been able to stand after having drunk so much. Page had not previously appeared in court, Judge Callaghan said. He sentenced Page to 80 hours' community work and ordered him to pay $300 reparation.