Gangsters urged to ditch mob, or else . . .
Three men have been urged stay clear of the Mongrel Mob or face a difficult future and likely jail .
The trio were given community-based sentences by Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish after the Crown agreed to drop the most serious charge – aggravated robbery – and serving time in custody on remand for what began as a gang stand-over incident.
They were arrested after an incident in North Canterbury in May, which led to police raids where firearms and drugs were found.
Cai Evans, 22, had admitted unlawful possession of a pistol, possession of cannabis and a class B drug, and breaches of an earlier intensive supervision sentence.
Jac Rhys Howells, 21, admitted two charges of possession of cannabis, trespassing at his parents’ home, driving while suspended, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for the police.
Heremai Steven Te Wake, 31, admitted charges of assault, possession of cannabis, and unlawful possession of two rifles.
The trio went to a house in central Rangiora, where they were friends with the resident.
The Crown said Te Wake was a patched member of the Mongrel Mob and Evans was a gang prospect.
They went into the house and Te Wake repeatedly asked the victim for all his money and drugs. When he wasn’t given any, he punched the victim twice in the face and told him he would keep punching until he gave him money.
Defence counsel Rachel Wood and Andrew McKenzie said their clients Te Wake and Evans had turned their back on their gang connections. Kiran Paima urged that his client Howells be given a community work sentence to enable him to return to work in the construction industry.
Judge Farish said Evans and Howells needed to step away from the Mongrel Mob ‘‘or their good intentions will go out the window’’. She told Te Wake he needed to set a good example for his 11-year-old son by moving away from anti-social activities.
Judge Farish gave Howells 40 hours of community work, and if he does most of that by January 18 – to prove he can do it – she will not disqualify him from driving but will give him more community work instead.
She sentenced Te Wake to 100 hours of community work.
Evans was also being resentenced on a number of offences.