Armed bandit’s appeal fails as judge rules sentence fair

A screwdriver-wielding criminal’s bid to shorten is jail sentence has been thrown out of court.

Te Piwa Michael Riwai was sentenced in November to two years and six months’ jail for a number of charges, including assault with a weapon for brandishing an 18-inch screwdriver at a police officer, and driving offences.

His offending began in July 2015, when he attempted to get in a car by grabbing the driver by the arm and pulling her from her seat. After this failed, he got in another car, prompting the owner to run over and ask him to get out.

Riwai ignored her and reversed on to the road, then drove along the footpath until he pulled out in front of another car, which he collided with.

Then in January last year, Riwai was approached by police, as they had a warrant for his arrest. He ran away and was chased by officers.

Three times he opened car doors and tried to coerce drivers from their cars so he could escape. He was chased into VTNZ and grabbed an 18-inch screwdriver, which he waved at a chasing policeman, causing him to back off.

Riwai then got into a Mazda and tried to drive away.

Riwai appealed the prison term imposed for his crimes.

He said the sentencing judge did not give him a discount for his guilty plea and did not take into account his drug and alcohol assessment.

In the High Court at Wellington, Justice Rebecca Ellis said Riwai was entitled to a discount for his guilty plea and it was appropriate to recognise his remorse, his commendable rehabilitative efforts and the part that mental health problems played in his offending.

However, the judge said the sentence imposed was not too harsh and dismissed the appeal.