Gang insignia and toy gun sentencing

An Ōpōtiki man has been sentenced after being the first arrest under the new gang insignia laws in the Eastern Bay and pulling a toy gun on his friend outside the Ōpotiki District Court.

The two charges – unlawfully carrying an imitation firearm and displaying prohibited gang insignia in a public place – were laid on different dates.

Sonny Hunuhunu pleaded guilty to both charges last Thursday.

His lawyer, Paul Devoy, told the court Hunuhunu had been sitting in his friend’s car outside the courthouse when he found a toy gun in the car.

His friend was attending court that day and Hunuhunu was waiting for him.

When his friend exited the courthouse, he pulled the gun at him, prompting a response from court security.

“He didn’t intend to cause problems for people in the courthouse; he is very remorseful,” Mr Devoy said.

Judge Louis Bidois told Hunuhunu, “you shouldn’t be playing with a toy gun anyway”.

His explanation for displaying gang insignia was that he had picked up his cap to wear while on a bike ride.

“He knew about the new gang regalia laws, but he thought it applied to his patches, not his cap,” Mr Devoy said.

“He knows there will be forfeiture on the cap, which he feels sorry about because he liked his cap.”

Judge Bidois sentenced him to 100 hours’ community work and ordered him to pay $300 plus court costs. Hunuhunu must forfeit the cap.

Guilty pleas entered

An Ōpōtiki man has pleaded guilty to a raft of charges.

Tiare Kereopa is charged with nine counts of shoplifting, five counts of wilful trespass, unlawfully being in an enclosed yard, wilful damage and breaching community work.

Kereopa was remanded until January 9 for an electronically monitored bail hearing, and potential sentencing.

Judge Bidois warned Kereopa that if his bail was denied, a home detention sentence would not be an option.

He said if bail was granted, the sentencing date would be postponed.

Adjourned for hearing date

Sam Stansbury is facing a range of firearm charges and is still awaiting a trial date.

He has pleaded not guilty to threatening to kill, unlawfully carrying a firearm, recklessly discharging a firearm, two counts of presenting a firearm and committing a dangerous act with the intent to do grievous bodily harm involving a firearm.

His lawyer, Leonard Hemi, said the defendant was still awaiting a trial date.

Judge Bidois remanded Stansbury to January 9 to find a trial date. Stansbury’s attendance has been excused for this administrative court date.

Bail denied

A man has been denied bail after talking most of the way through court proceeding.

Jesse Waenga is in custody on two charges of theft of property valued at less than $500.

His lawyer, Nikki Franklin, said Waenga had given her instructions to apply for bail.

Police opposed the bail application.

Waenga talked through proceedings, attempting to plead his case and talking back to the judge.

He was denied bail and further remanded in custody until March 6, when he is already scheduled to appear on other charges.

Order for forfeiture of $9940 cash

An Ōpōtiki woman has been sentenced on two cannabis-related charges.

Monica Taiatini, 28, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for supply and selling cannabis.

She is facing additional charges in Tauranga for similar matters.

Judge Bidois said Taiatini was raised in gang culture; it had dominated her childhood and most of her adult life.

“But you have decided you want to change, for the safety of your children and to improve your life,” Judge Bidois said.

Taiatini was sentenced to six months’ home detention, and an order made for forfeiture of $9940 cash seized during her arrest.