Gang tensions on the rise

Tensions continue to simmer a month after the shooting of a Mongrel Mob member, with the gang’s numbers rising in a traditionally Black Power-dominated part of Whanganui, a court has heard.

Lawyers say family members of men arrested as part of the investigation have moved out of town, such are the risks.

There was a large security presence at the Whanganui District Court yesterday, where 10 men appeared on charges laid during the investigation into the death of Kevin ‘‘Kastro’’ Ratana.

Ratana, 27, was fatally shot on August 21 in what is understood to be an attack by a rival gang. Although no-one is yet charged with killing Ratana, the men in court yesterday were arrested during the investigation into his death.

They are all charged with participating in an organised criminal group. Some face other charges, including threatening to kill or cause grievous bodily harm, unlawful possession of a weapon and perverting the course of justice.

Nine of them pleaded not guilty, while the other entered no pleas.

All of them applied for name suppression, with safety concerns the common theme of lawyers’ submissions.

Defence lawyer Jamie Waugh said two of the defendants had filed affidavits in which they said there was a surge of threatening activity in Castlecliff.

‘‘They say there is a large number of Mongrel Mob members, who have previously not been in the community, threatening their families.’’

Denis O’reilly, a Black Power member tasked with calming tensions between Mongrel Mob and Black Power, wrote a letter to the court saying naming the men would put them at risk, Waugh said.

‘‘He is part of a trust trying to resolve issues. He is trying to keep Castlecliff safe.

‘‘He says there is an increased presence of the other side of the dispute in Castlecliff.’’

Members of the Whanganui District Council and a police gang liaison officer also knew of the problems in Castlecliff, Waugh said.

Police opposed bail for many of the men, on the grounds they were at significant risk if given bail, he said.

Judge Charles Blackie said a lack of evidence from police was a problem, because risks needed to be substantial to justify name suppression.

However, the judge put the name suppression issue off until a hearing next Tuesday.