Teen lucky surgeon saved victim

A teen who plunged a knife into a bottle storekeeper six times has a surgeon to thank for not facing a charge of murder, a judge has told him.

Osman Keenan, 18, and Cross-Jackson Shaw, 17, were sentenced in Napier District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated robbery. Keenan also pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Keenan and Shaw and a girl aged 15 and a boy aged 12 drove Shaw’s mother’s car from Flaxmere into Hastings on September 3 with the intention of robbing Big Barrel liquor store on Maraekakaho Rd.

The group waited until there were no customers, then the three boys entered the store to confront the lone 21-year-old storekeeper. The trio had put bandannas across their faces, though Keenan’s face was largely uncovered.

Keenan was armed with a long bladed kitchen knife, Shaw had an iron bar and the boy had a wheel brace. When Keenan approached the staff member brandishing the knife, the storekeeper opened the till, then backed away saying ‘‘don’t hurt me, you can take what you want’’.

Keenan ignored the open till. Instead he pulled the storekeeper to the floor.

The storekeeper offered no resistance. Keenan ripped the turban from his head before kicking the storekeeper three times. While the victim covered his head with his arms to protect himself, Keenan leaned over him and stabbed him in the left side of his stomach. He then stabbed the victim five further times around his neck and left shoulder.

The trio took cash from the till and several armfuls of alcohol and tobacco, put them in the boot of the waiting car, and drove away. A short time later, members of the public found the seriously injured storekeeper, who was rushed to hospital.

The summary of facts stated ‘‘it was by sheer luck that no vital organs or arteries were cut when the victim was stabbed’’.

Asked by police why he stabbed the victim, Keenan replied ‘‘with all the domestics with my mum, I needed to let off some anger’’.

In court yesterday, Keenan’s lawyer, Nicola Graham, said he was a first-time offender and it was accepted that a lengthy prison term would be imposed.

Crown prosecutor Steve Manning said ‘‘but for the skill of the surgeon this would have been a homicide’’.

Judge Geoff Rea said the case was ‘‘chilling’’. He said a psychiatric report concluded Keenan had ADHD with associated behavioural issues and personal dysfunction. He had suffered physical abuse as a child and had borderline intellectual function. The judge sentenced Keenan to six years in jail.

Shaw’s lawyer Jonathan Krebs said Shaw had had a difficult background and had been greatly influenced by Keenan. Judge Rea acknowledged Shaw’s deprived background and mental health issues before sentencing him to four years’ jail.

The two youngest members of the group have been dealt with in the Youth Court.

Asked by police why he stabbed the victim, Keenan replied ‘‘with all the domestics with my mum I needed to let off some anger’’.