Taxi driver shooter’s sentencing adjourned

WELLINGTON: The sentencing a man who admitted shooting a Wellington taxi driver has been deferred to allow him to complete a drug rehabilitation course, which is only available to remand prisoners.

Dylan Nuku appeared in the High Court at Wellington, after pleading guilty in June to charges relating to a shooting last November, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He also faces other charges, including breaching prison release conditions, shoplifting and threatening behaviour.

On November 18 last year, taxi driver Alem Tesema picked up Nuku and his companion, Paris Ohuka, and drove them to Miramar as they requested.

Ohuka was carrying a pistol in her handbag, which Nuku removed during the taxi ride.

When the taxi stopped Ohuka tried to pay using a Prezzy card and when Mr Tesema said she could not do so, Nuku shot him in the shoulder through the driver’s window.

Mr Tesema managed to escape and seek help at a nearby petrol station and later had surgery to remove bullet fragments from his shoulder.

Before his sentencing began yesterday Nuku asked Justice Helen Cull if it could be put off to a later date.

‘‘I was asked last week, Monday, to do an intermediate AOD [alcohol and other drugs] programme, which runs for eight weeks but only for remand prisoners. It finishes on the 21st of September, but there’s a week break before graduation, which is on the 28th of September.

‘‘But if I were to be sentenced today I then wouldn’t have the chance to complete [the] rehabilitative programme, because sentenced inmates cannot mix with remand prisoners.’’

After some discussion with the lawyers and Corrections Justice Cull agreed to adjourn the sentencing.

Nuku will now be sentenced on October 5.

Ohuka pleaded guilty last month to unlawful possession of the firearm involved in the shooting.

She will be sentenced in the High Court at Wellington on October 12. — RNZ