Guilty hitman says sorry to his mother

A Black Power member apologised to his mother after he and two others were found guilty of a gangland hit in New Plymouth.

Laurence Te Ruki, a patched member of the Taranaki Black Power, William Pouha, the president of the gang’s Christchurch chapter, and Zinzan Tamou were yesterday found guilty of a vicious attack on Rory Ruddell in August last year, after a week-long trial in the New Plymouth District Court.

As he was taken to the cells Te Ruki called out to his mother, who had been in court all week.

‘‘Sorry mum. It’s all good mum. I love you mum,’’ he said.

The trio had been on trial before Judge Chris Sygrove, charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Ruddell and participating in an organised criminal group.

Yesterday a jury found all three men guilty on both charges.

Extra police staff and court security were in the courtroom and as the decisions were delivered family members in the public gallery broke down in tears.

Some gang members, angered by the decision, verbally abused court staff and police.

Pouha, an imposing presence standing 1.83m tall with a shaved head and the gang’s fist tattooed on both cheeks and across his throat, stood emotionless with his hands clasped behind his back.

Tamou made the gang’s fist salute to supporters in the gallery.

The judge remanded the trio, in custody, to reappear for sentencing on December 14.

Detective Sergeant Gerard Bouterey said the verdicts were a good result for the community.

Ruddell was viciously beaten outside a Spotswood house on August 13, 2016. The attack left him with a broken nose, severely swollen face and bruising to his body after three men rained down kicks and punches on him while he was on the ground.

In June 2017, Jason Sean King, Damien Aaron Ngataierua and Hohaia Tara Joe Tane were all sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment for assaulting Ruddell, after pleading guilty.