King hit sends offender to prison

Ranapera Taumata appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday.

A man who "king hit" another man during a street robbery has been jailed for a year and eight months and issued his final three-strike warning.

Ranapera Taumata, 21, appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday and was sentenced on a charge of robbery.

Judge Jonathan Down told the court that in October last year Taumata was under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine when he approached a man walking down the street in Hastings and asked him for a cigarette.

He said he then "king hit" the man and demanded his cellphone and wallet.

"He had no idea it was coming."

Judge Down said the man was left with a severely bruised eye.

The man handed over his cellphone and Taumata left the scene.

The court heard that Taumata had served a home detention sentence in 2013 for an aggravated robbery and had made an appearance in the Youth Court for a similar offence in 2009.

"You showed at that early age you were quite prepared to rob and to use violence to steal."

Judge Down said a victim impact statement told of how the victim initially felt fear following the attack but it had now turned to anger.

"It is clear from your youth and your behaviour now as an adult that violence has become a way of life for you."

He declined the possibility of a home detention sentence.

"You served a home detention sentence last year and it has not deterred you from committing similar offences again."

Judge Down issued a second and final strike warning to Taumata and sentenced him to serve a one year eight month sentence without the possibility of parole.

He warned him should he commit another similar offence again he will be sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment.