Gang members appear in court

A Taranaki gang member arrested for possession of a tomahawk told police he was going to use it to ‘‘axe flesh’’, a court was told.

Patched Mongrel Mob member Shannon Nichols grabbed the weapon from his home and drove with an associate to Robe St, New Plymouth, on September 26 when he heard his ‘‘brother was in some trouble’’.

He intended to use it on someone who was going to ‘‘pay the price’’, Nichols, 25, admitted to police.

About 10.30am, police were called to an altercation between several parties outside New Plymouth District Court, on the corner of Robe and Powderham streets.

Involved in the conflict were a number of people with connections to the Mongrel Mob gang, a police summary of facts stated.

Moments later, Nichols arrived at the scene driving a vehicle.

He was directed by police to pull over so officers could check he was complying with his licence conditions, the summary said.

But as officers spoke to Nichols through an open window of the car, the handle of what appeared to be a tomahawk axe was spotted between the front seat and centre console.

He was arrested and a search of the vehicle confirmed the weapon.

When questioned by police, Nichols said he had been at home when he got a call regarding his brother.

He admitted the axe was his, the summary of facts said.

‘‘Yeah, that’s my axe. I heard my brother was in danger so I was coming to use it for the purpose it’s meant for: axing flesh,’’ he said.

‘‘If they want to wait for my brother to be alone, they can pay the price.’’

Yesterday, Nichols appeared in New Plymouth District Court where he pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in relation to the incident.

It was heard he had a number of other matters before the court and was subsequently remanded on bail to November 7.

Shortly after, fellow Mongrel Mob member Turanganui John Ormsby Turner appeared on a charge of unlawfully carrying a firearm.

He did not enter a plea to the charge and the matter was remanded until November 13.

But it was then revealed Nichols was a co-offender of Turner’s in relation to the firearm charge and Judge Emma Smith instructed as part of Turner’s bail conditions the pair were not to have contact.

Turner revealed the two lived at the same Moturoa address, to which Nichols was also bailed.

The matter was stood down while they sorted their living arrangements and Nichols later offered the court a new address.