Addicts fake 'hare-brained' robbery

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Two drug addicts have been jailed after they hatched a "hare-brained" scheme to fake a knife-fight in Gisborne's Bollywood Indian restaurant, in which the disguised "intruder" robbed his accomplice of $20,000.

The Bollywood Star Indian Tandoori Restaurant was robbed at knife-point on May 6 this year but it turned out to be an inside job.

Davinder Singh, 26, was jailed for three years and two months when he appeared in the Gisborne District Court last week, the Gisborne Herald reported.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to attempting to rob a restaurant employee and robbing a restaurant employee of $20,884, both times armed with a knife.

John Emmanuel Joshua Henry, 29, had also earlier admitted the same charges, and was jailed for two years and nine months.

Singh's brother owns the Bollywood and he had worked there as bar manager.

Judge David Wilson said an attempted aggravated robbery failed on May 5 because Henry was unable to open the back door.

The following night Singh staged the fight with Henry, who this time entered through the back door armed with a knife.

Judge Wilson said it must have been a frightening experience for female members of the Singh family, who did not know the fight was faked. Singh planned the robbery to take place when the restaurant was closed, certain employees were away and an optimal level of cash was on site.

His lawyer Brett Cooper said Singh, a methamphetamine user, was "off the rails" during "the hare-brained scheme".

Henry's lawyer Alistair Clarke said his client, who was also addicted to methamphetamine at the time, was "a foot soldier" taking instructions from "mastermind" Singh and believed the robbery was an inside job or insurance scam. The knife was a prop.

Henry's half-brother Mahanga Aria Katipa, 19, was earlier found guilty of aggravated robbery and sentenced to 11 months' home detention and 200 hours' community work.

- NZPA