Attack on septuagenarian lands Whangarei man in jail

Whangarei man jailed for more than three years after an aggravated robbery on a 70-year-old. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The second man who attacked and robbed a 70-year-old man in Whangarei has been jailed for more than three years.

Luke Stowers and Rusty Herewini attacked the man about 3.30am on July 20 last year on Selwyn Ave outside Burger King in Whangarei, and stole his backpack.

The elderly man suffered a bloodied nose and swelling after being punched at least five times in the face. The two men ran off and the man staggered to his feet and carried on along Rust Av thinking he would continue to the Whangarei police station.

On his way he came across four other men, one of whom called police on his mobile phone.

Herewini was sentenced in June to 10 months' imprisonment on one charge of aggravated robbery.

Stowers was found guilty by a jury in the Whangarei District Court on the same charge and was sentenced this month to three years and one month in jail.

The 70-year-old read out his victim impact statement in court and said he suffered headaches and dizziness from the attack. He fell on both knees during the attack and they were still healing, he said.

The man had to buy a special shoe for walking and swimming at a cost of $300.

"This has affected me in many ways. I feel being humiliated by people wanting to know what happened."

He found it hard to walk to town and constantly looked over his shoulders.

"Two Maori men attacked me and they had a half empty bottle of gin. I was scared they would hit me on the head."

He said despite being Maori himself the attack has made him cautious of young Maori men who wore their hats back to front and pants lowered down.

Judge Keith de Ridder said Stowers initially denied his involvement but later told police he at least assaulted the man.

The judge said Stowers showed no remorse and has little insight into the consequences of what he did.