Jailed for murdering man over car for parts

HAMILTON: A Hamilton man who, with his son, brutally attacked and murdered Brent Brown so he could steal his $800 Ford Fairmont for spare parts, will spend at least 17 years in prison.

Having earlier pleaded guilty to the murder during his trial in the High Court at Hamilton, Lance Tangiariki Bush (48) was on Monday given a life sentence by Justice Rebecca Edwards.

He was also sentenced to a 10year jail term to be served concurrently.

Justice Edwards described Mr Brown as a collector, who kept his ‘‘treasures’’ in the Fairmont he parked outside the boarding house where he lived.

However, in August 2016, Bush and his son, Lance Bush jun (28), went into Mr Brown’s bedroom wearing white latex gloves, armed with a weapon and a plan to steal the car.

Bush threatened Mr Brown and told him he was going to tie him up so he could take the car.

When Mr Brown resisted and began throwing things, Bush ‘‘retaliated by commencing a horrific and sustained attack against him’’, Justice Edwards said.

Bush struck Mr Brown multiple times in the head with a weapon — likely a gun butt — causing ‘‘a huge hole’’ in the back of his head.

‘‘Mr Brown cried out for help, but nobody came, and you did not stop,’’ Justice Edwards said.

‘‘There were multiple blows to his body. His legs were bound. And a cord was placed around his neck.’’

Bush’s son came into the room to help during the attack but became upset at the extent of the violence and left the house.

Bush followed his son and tried to persuade him to come back, but failed, Justice Edwards said. Bush jun has subsequently pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge.

Bush left Mr Brown in the bedroom, then towed the Ford Fairmont away with the help of an associate, Daniel Tai Houia, who did not take part in the attack.

Houia was this month jailed for three years and four months for aggravated robbery.

The Ford Fairmont has never been recovered.

In his victim impact statement, Bruce Brown described his brother as ‘‘harmless’’. He loved guitars, V8s, Triumphs, Falcons, fishing and coming home to his mum’s for a good boil up, he said.

He said his brother’s murder was heartbreaking, devastating and senseless.

‘‘It is abundantly clear that you have inflicted immeasurable pain on this family — and all for an $800 car which did not work,’’ Justice Edwards said to Bush. — NZME

❛ Mr Brown cried

out for help, but nobody came, and

you did not stop