Jail sentences for callous act

Near naked and terrified a young man was shoved into the boot of his own car.

He had no idea what was going to happen to him or where he would end up.

It turned out to be a carpark on Coast Rd in Wainuiomata where he was bashed unconscious with a hammer and left next to his burning car.

Wellington District Court judge Bruce Davidson said it was callous, gratuitous and humiliating. Leaving him next to the burning car was a real risk to his life, the judge said.

It had taken more than three years to resolve the case which had numerous pretrial arguments, callovers and a previous attempt at trial.

But yesterday two of those responsible were jailed – Codey Kreegher, 33, for 81⁄2 years and Estelle Turner, 28, for 51⁄2 years.

The judge said Kreegher was the muscle and Turner had been the bait.

In October 2016 the victim went to meet a woman he had met through Tinder. She and the others had been living in shared accommodation in Wainuiomata. He drove her to Petone but returned to Wainuiomata when Turner asked him too.

When he arrived a silver car blocked him in and Kreegher got into his car, punching him and threatening him.

Another unidentified male also got in and made him drive them to a money machine where they took his card and got money.

At a nearby service station they filled another car with petrol then began the drive out along Coast Rd.

Shortly after they stopped and made the victim get into the boot of his car.

They stopped again a short time later, stripping him down to his underwear before chucking him back in the boot.

They drove to the carpark, stopped, dragged him out and Kreegher hit him with a hammer on the head, knocking him unconscious. Before they left they set his car on fire.

Judge Davidson said two things saved his life. A strong wind blew the flames away from him and a local resident driving into town called 111.

He was airlifted to hospital where he needed brain surgery. He had skull, orbital and nasal fractures, bleeding on the brain and suffered heat blisters from the fire. He was left with permanent scarring and needed rehabilitation to return to his life.

The judge said the amount of money taken was $140.

Kreegher and Turner had been found guilty at trial of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and arson.

Turner’s lawyer Paul Surridge said she had known a life of degradation and deprivation and was used as a pawn in the offending.

Kreegher’s lawyer Paul Paino said there was no suggestion that the victim had been left there to die.