Jail for attack

Press, 17 September 1980, Page 34

Jail for attack

PA Wellington Jail sentences have been imposed by Mr Justice Savage in the High Court on four men for an attack on a couple at Okato, near New Plymouth. “In my view it was a gross outrage launched on a couple while still asleep,” his Honour said. Robert Michael Bhaskaran, aged 23, a panel beater; Hoani Waikato Rapiharra Hawaikirangi, 24, an unemployed . freezing worker; Hugh Gustavius Daley, 24, unemployed; and Teddy Te Mehaia Materie, 25,. a steel worker had been found guilty in the High Court at New Plymouth on a charge of wounding Colin Chirinock with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Bhaskaran, Daley, and Ha-

waikirangi were also convicted on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Aangela Ngan. His Honour said that Bhaskaran was the ringleader. He was sentenced to three years and nine months jail. Hawaikirangi and Daley were each sentenced to 12 months . jail, and Matene to nine months.

Bhaskaran had arranged an ' expedition with four others to drive from Well lington to Okato to exact vengeance on Mr Chinnock because he had become friendly with Miss Ngan, who had been Bhaskaran’s friend. They had stormed the farm cottage where the couple were asleep and attacked them with a bayonet and a baseball bat, his Honour said.