Gangs should be disbanded — Judge

Press, 21 December 1978, Page 20

Gangs should be disbanded — Judge

PA Auckland A Supreme Court judge has called on responsible citizens to do what they could to disband gangs. Mr Justice Sinclair was sentencing 14 members of the Mongrel Mob gang on various charges resulting from gang warfare. The sentences imposed in the Supreme Court at Auckland ranged from three years and a half jail to probation and periodic detention. The case followed a series of incidents last August which culminated in a clash between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs in the carpark of the Ellerslie Motor Inn.

“Why in the present society there is any need for the existence of gangs is beyond my comprehension,” said his Honour. He said members of the public had been faced with gang confrontations, rape, violence, and interference as they went about their business.

"It is also tragic to observe that, almost all of the members of the gangs are members of the Maori race and too often we see brother against brother and cousin against cousin.”

It was time active steps were taken by responsible persons to see that the gangs were disbanded. His Honour urged all responsible Maori leaders in the community to bring their influence to bear on the situation.

Sentencing the president of the gang. Roberty Bevan Martin, aged 24, of Mangere, he said members of the gang had no real minds of their own but had been led by Martin.

Martin was sentenced to two years jail on a charge of injuring in such circumstances that if death had occurred he would have been guilty of manslaughter, 18 months jail on an assault charge, and 18 months jail on a charge of causing wilful damage. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Jack Hapi, aged 18 of Mangere, was sentenced to 18 months jail on a charge of assault with intent to injure, one year in jail on another assault charge, and one year in jail on a wilful-damage charge.

Michael James Niha, aged 16, of Onehunga, was sentenced to Borstal training on a charge of rape, a charge of injuring by an unlawful act, and a charge of causing wilful damage. Parara Sonny Wharepapa, aged 28, of Onehunga, was sentenced to three years and a half jail on a charge of rape, two years jail on a charge of injuring by an unlawful act, and eight months jail on a charge of causing wilful damage.

Francis Te Whitu Allen, aged 25, of Onehunga. was sentenced to one year in jail on a charge of injuring by an unlawful act and eight months jail on a charge of causing wilful damage. Paul Tawhiwhi Karaitiana aged 19. of One-

hunga, was sentenced to one year in jail for causing injury by an unlawful act, and eight months jail for causing wilful damage.

Samuel Parata Parata aged 17, of Glenfield, was ordered to continue Borstal training on a charge of causing injury in such circumstances that if death had occurred he would have been guilty of manslaughter. Everard Patrick Smith aged 22, was sentenced to six months periodic detention and was placed on probation for 18 months on a charge of causing wilful damage. Sonny Kingi Smith, aged 25, was sentenced to one year in jail on a charge of injuring by an unlawful act and eight months jail for causing wilful damage. Peter McCallum Wikotu, aged 18, of Otahuhu, was sentenced to Borstal training on a charge of injuring by an unlawful act

Darin Brent Rewi Minhinnick. aged 17, of Mangere, was placed on probation for two years on a charge of injuring by an unlawful act. Robert Emmett Wilson, aged 16, of Mangere, was sentenced to Borstal training on a charge of injuring by an unlawful act Ringo Robert Dunn, aged 27, of Mangere, was sentenced to six months jail on a charge of causing wilful damage and Warren Peter Ormsby was sentenced to six months periodic detention on the same charge, new organisation.