Two Tauranga brothers who were involved in the armed robbery and bashing of a 24-year-old Matua Dairy worker last month have been granted bail.
Shaun Mahia, 17, and Tuhukia Tysson Mahia, 18, pleaded guilty to a joint charge of aggravated robbery in Tauranga District Court earlier this morning.
On May 27 Shaun Mahia entered the store armed with a metal car jack handle, together with Matthew Grant Kingi who had a piece of galvanised pipe, while Tuhukia Mahia waited in the getaway car parked around the corner.
Shaun and the Kingi's faces were covered with pieces of cloth and hooded tops.
Kingi smashed the candy stand with the pipe to distract the victim working behind the counter, while Shaun Mahia leaped onto counter and confronted the victim.
Both offenders demanded the trapped victim open the till and hand over the money.
The victim was also threatened with pipe.
When the victim could not open the till, one of the robbers grabbed four packets of cigarettes.
Meanwhile Shaun Mahia, still standing on the counter, bailed the victim into a corner and struck him about five times with the metal carjack handle attempting to hit him about the head.
The victim suffered defensive wounds to his forearms and head after he raised his arms to try to deflect the blows, including bruising and swelling to the right side of the top of his head.
The victim fled to the rear of the store pursued by Mahia who walked along the top of the shop counter, damaging and scattered confectionery items.
As Mahia and the Kingi ran from the store with the packets of cigarettes they were seen by members of the public who called police.
As the Tuhukia Mahia drove the group away the vehicle was followed by a member of the public, and eventually stopped by police on Hewletts Rd.
The stolen cigarettes were inside the vehicle.
Reparation of $300 is sought for damage to the shop fittings and stock.
The brothers will be sentenced on August 11, but Judge Tony Couch warned them they should prepare themselves for lengthy prison sentences.
Kingi, 27, also pleaded guilty to a joint charge of aggravated robbery in Tauranga District Court today.
Judge Tony Couch refused bail for a raft of reasons, including the fact that Kingi had previous convictions, including one for assault last year.
The two Mahia brothers were first time offenders before the court.
Kingi will also be sentenced August 11.