Gang member jailed for role in riot

A Black Power member who took part in a riot with gunfire that “ruffled the trouser legs” of police has been jailed for three years and 10 months.

Fairmond Popata-Edwardson held a gun in the riot involving hundreds of gang members in Whakata¯ne in January 2017.

In August last year, a jury found Popata-Edwardson guilty of rioting, being part of an organised criminal group, using a firearm against a law enforcement officer, discharging a firearm with reckless disregard for the safety of others and being in unlawful possession of a firearm.

Justice Graham Lang’s sentencing notes have been released by the High Court at Rotorua, after a hearing on June 14.

According to the summary of facts, Black Power members stationed themselves at various points around Whakata¯ne where they thought Mongrel Mob members in a funeral procession would enter the town.

When it entered along Valley Rd, Black Power members “ambushed the procession by throwing missiles at it”.

“These included rocks, bottles and sticks.”

Justice Lang said it “evoked a much more violent response from the Mongrel Mob” who fired shots and veered vehicles down the service lane to retaliate.

Taipeti later discharged a firearm on two occasions in the direction of the Mongrel Mob members. Some of the pellets ruffled the trouser legs of police officers He was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for being part of an unlawful criminal group, nine months for rioting, six months for unlawful possession of a firearm and 12 months for the other two charges. These will all be served concurrently.