Gang member told to try new approach

A 60-year-old gang member who threatened a woman with a gun has been told by a judge to turn over a new leaf.

Tony Wade had been instructed to give the victim, who had recently received a substantial amount of money following the death of her partner, ‘‘a good scare’’, according to the Crown summary of facts.

The instruction was given by Raymond Kurth, a cousin of the woman’s late partner.

Wade told the victim he and Kurth had discussed doing a hit and ‘‘to make it look like a drug deal gone wrong’’, but he wasn’t sure what they wanted done.

‘‘It could be a bullet in the back of your head; you wouldn’t even see us coming. We could put you in the boot of a car, dump you in a drain or bury you in the bush; it just depends what they want done.’’

He had then produced a pistol from the car and pointed it at the victim, saying, ‘‘See, I mean business.’’

The summary said the victim was terrified, felt sick with fear and genuinely feared for her life.

‘‘The victim believed that she was about to be shot and had no doubt that the pistol was real. She has suffered a prolonged period of anxiety believing gang members are actively being sought to kill her.’’

Wade appeared before Judge Gregory Hikaka in the New Plymouth District Court on Friday for sentencing on burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm charges to which he had pleaded guilty last month following a sentencing indication.

Judge Hikaka said the sentence would be as indicated, 18 months in jail, but noted it was ‘‘effectively time served’’.

‘‘Mr Wade, at 60 it’s time to be looking at a new approach to life,’’ Hikaka said.

From what he had heard and read, ‘‘you’re on that track’’, the judge added.

In September, Kurth was sentenced to six months’ community detention and ordered to pay $1000 in reparation to the victim.