A High Court judge yesterday spoke of the terror felt by victims of bank robberies as he jailed two of the so-called Screwdriver Gang.
Elder Browne, aged 23, of Otara, who had been found guilty of five bank raids and three car conversions, was sentenced to 12 1/2 years' jail.
Paul Hemana Tipene, also 23, of Manurewa, who part-way through the trial in June had pleaded guilty to one bank robbery, was sentenced to seven years in prison.
In the High Court at Auckland, Justice John Laurenson said the pair were professional criminals with long previous histories.
Bank robberies were often considered a property offence, but this case graphically illustrated the impact on victims.
Though there was no evidence that the screwdrivers carried by gang members were used as weapons, they were part of the "intimidation tactics" employed.
The judge said victims had referred to being terrified, and in one case "incapacitated through fear".
Even in court the accused continued their intimidation by "eyeballing" witnesses.
The pair had scorned past chances at rehabilitation.
Prosecutor Brian Dickey said there was little prospect of reformation in either case.
But Paul Dacre, appearing for Browne, and Marie Dyhrberg, for Tipene, said the pair should not be thrown on the scrapheap and seen as being without hope.
Other gang members have been dealt with and
One gang member remains to be sentenced.
Tipene's conviction means he will be recalled from parole to continue serving six months of an earlier sentence.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Small Coromandel lifeguard service in line for new $5 million facility
The lifeguard service is located between Whangamata and Waihi.